Chilly Weather Returns to Delhi-NCR, Air Quality Deteriorates to Severe Levels
As winter sets in, Delhi-NCR faces a drop in temperatures and worsening air quality, with several areas recording severe pollution levels.
New Delhi, November 11 (Daily Kiran) : The weather in Delhi-NCR has taken a significant turn as temperatures drop sharply at night, bringing a noticeable chill and fog in the early mornings. According to the Indian Meteorological Department, the minimum temperature is expected to reach around 14 degrees Celsius in the coming days. The forecast indicates that fog or haze will persist from November 11 to November 16.
During this period, maximum temperatures are projected to range between 28 to 29 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures could fall between 14 to 16 degrees. Humidity levels may soar to between 90 to 95 percent. However, this temperature drop is having a direct impact on air quality. As the cold intensifies, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has been steadily rising, with alarming figures reported in various regions of Delhi.
In Chandni Chowk, the AQI reached 383, while Burari Crossing recorded 366, CRRI Mathura Road saw 349, Commonwealth Sports Complex had 337, and Burari noted 319. In Chhawla, the AQI spiked to 398, nearing hazardous levels. The air quality in neighboring Noida and Ghaziabad is also deteriorating. In Noida’s Sector-62, the AQI was measured at 373, and Sector-125 recorded 317. However, in Sector-150 and Sector-1, the AQI was slightly better at 236 and 247, respectively, still falling in the ‘poor’ category.
Ghaziabad is facing a similar situation. In Wave City, the AQI was 335, Sanjay Nagar recorded 325, New Tehsil-Loni noted 320, Vasundhara had 311, and Loni measured 309. Indirapuram in Ghaziabad reported an AQI of 189, which falls in the ‘moderate’ category.
Experts suggest that the onset of winter slows down wind speeds, causing pollution particles to accumulate in the atmosphere, thus elevating the AQI. While the number of vehicles on the roads tends to decrease during the festive holidays, potentially improving air quality, the current drop in nighttime temperatures and stagnant air is causing pollution levels to rise steadily.
