Delhi experienced a slight improvement in air quality on Tuesday, with the AQI reading at 296 (‘Poor’), after lingering in the ‘Very Poor’ category (335 AQI) over the past week. Despite the improvement, air quality challenges persist, with restrictions under Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) still in place across Delhi-NCR.
Key Weather Highlights
- Minimum Temperature: Expected to drop to 5°C by Friday, with the dip beginning Wednesday.
- Maximum Temperature: Recorded at 16.2°C, which is 2.8 degrees above normal.
- Minimum Temperature on Monday: Stood at 10.5°C, which is 3.6 degrees above normal.
- Visibility Issues:
- Dense fog reduced visibility to 150 metres early Tuesday, delaying 25 trains.
- Visibility improved later in the morning to 700 metres at Palam and 500 metres at Safdarjung.
Air Quality Insights
- AQI on Tuesday: Improved to 296 (‘Poor’), down from Monday’s 335 (‘Very Poor’).
- Improvement attributed to favorable meteorological conditions, including increased wind speeds.
- Stage 3 GRAP Restrictions Revoked: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) lifted severe restrictions while maintaining Stage 1 and 2 curbs.
Forecast for Coming Days
- Cold Day Conditions: Likely at isolated places across Delhi.
- Fog Conditions: Moderate to dense fog expected in most areas during the mornings.
- Clear Skies: Predicted for the week with a gradual drop in temperatures.
AQI Categories and Health Advisory
- ‘Poor’ (201-300): May cause discomfort to people with sensitive health conditions.
- Residents are advised to limit outdoor activities, especially early mornings and late evenings, to avoid exposure to poor air quality and cold.
The week ahead appears to demand precautions against foggy conditions and dipping temperatures, alongside continuing vigilance for respiratory health due to fluctuating air quality.
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