Delhi-NCR Faces Extreme Weather and Rising Pollution Levels
Residents of Delhi-NCR are dealing with harsh weather and alarming pollution levels, with AQI surpassing 300 in several areas.
New Delhi, October 21 (Daily Kiran) : Residents of Delhi-NCR are currently facing a challenging combination of intense sunlight during the day and plummeting temperatures at night. According to the latest forecast from the Meteorological Department, daytime temperatures are soaring, creating a feeling of heat, while nighttime temperatures are rapidly declining. Concurrently, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has crossed alarming thresholds.
The Indian Meteorological Department predicts that fluctuations in temperature will persist in the coming days. On October 22, the maximum temperature is expected to reach 32 degrees Celsius, while the minimum will drop to 19 degrees. Humidity levels are projected to range between 60 and 90 percent, with predominantly clear skies.
By October 23, temperatures could rise to 33 degrees, maintaining a minimum of 19 degrees. Partial cloud cover is expected until October 24. The weather department indicates a slight decrease in minimum temperatures, potentially dropping to 18 degrees Celsius by October 25, while maximum temperatures will likely hover around 32 degrees. This drop in nighttime temperatures may lead to a slight chill, coinciding with increasingly hazardous air quality in the NCR.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board reveals that air quality in several areas of Delhi has deteriorated to ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories. Punjabi Bagh recorded an AQI of 304, while the IITM in Pusa reached a concerning AQI of 318.
In other significant areas, RK Puram reported an AQI of 300, Patparganj at 278, Rohini at 276, Pusa at 275, Okhla Phase-2 at 272, NSUT Jafarpur at 264, and Shadipur at 241. While these figures fall within the moderate to poor range, the rising levels are a growing concern.
Ghazipur’s air quality is similarly troubling. Wave City recorded an AQI of 273, Indirapuram at 258, Sanjay Nagar at 255, and Loni at 250. In Greater Noida, Knowledge Park-5 reached an alarming AQI of 315, while Knowledge Park-3 stood at 181.
Given the escalating pollution levels, health experts urge residents to exercise caution. They recommend wearing masks when outdoors, especially in the morning and evening when pollution levels peak, and advise keeping children and the elderly indoors.
