Couple of days before the first festivals of the year, Lohri and Makar Sakranti, air quality in Delhi recorded “severe” with Average Air Quality Index (AAQI) recorded 423 microgram per cubic.
However, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting said the air quality may improve in the next two days under the influence of light rain on Sunday and Monday.
Pollution monitoring agencies attributed low wind speed for the deteriorating air quality in Delhi and neighbouring States. In NCR, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Noida and Greater Noida too recorded “severe” air quality, it said.
Twenty four areas recorded “severe” air quality and seven areas “very poor” air quality, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said. The overall PM2.5 level — fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers — in Delhi was recorded at 287, while the PM10 level was at 443, the CPCB said.
“The overall air quality will deteriorate further, with small fluctuations in the next three days if it does not rain. Other meteorological conditions are not favourable although foggy conditions are likely to reduce now,” the SAFAR said.
It said the air quality will deteriorate further by Sunday to remain in the border of very poor to severe and then to start improving depending on rain.
“In any case, the AQI will start receding by Tuesday but to remain very poor. Other meteorological conditions are not favourable although foggy conditions are likely to reduce now,” it said.
Meanwhile, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast light rain on Sunday and Monday.
The Regional Weather Forecast Wing (RWFC) forecast foggy days from January 14 onwards.
The RWFC in its local weather chart marked shallow, moderate days for January 14, 15 and 16, however, on January 17 and 18, Delhities may witness dense fog.
According to private weather forecast organisation, Skymet, the Western disturbance is over east Jammu & Kashmir which is likely to move away during next 24 hours. Post this, another fresh Western disturbance which is currently over Afghanistan and adjoining Pakistan is likely to affect the upper reaches of Jammu region by January 15.
“Due to the prevalence of this weather system, the spell of light rain and thundershowers is expected over isolated pockets of Delhi, Aligarh, Mathura, Meerut and many regions of northwest Uttar Pradesh. However, rain will be for a very short period. Clouding may persist over the region, leading to fall in maximum and improvement in pollution levels for good 48 hours. The wind speed will be around 15-20 kmph,” Skymet’s statement quoted.
Meanwhile, on Saturday minimum temperature settled at 7.1 degrees Celsius and the city was enveloped in a cover of moderate fog. Visibility dropped to 300 metres at Safadarjung and 400 metres at Palam due to fog, around 7.30 AM, said a MeT department official.
Relative humidity was 100 per cent at 8.30 am. According to forecast of the department, the day will turn from partly cloudy to generally cloudy by the evening and there is possibility of “very light” rain by the night. The maximum temperature is expected to be around 22 degrees Celsius.
A railways official said 11 Delhi-bound trains were running late by 2-3 hours on average due to fog. The maximum temperature on Friday was 22.3 degrees Celsius, whereas the minimum was 4.8 degrees Celsius.