New Delhi, Feb 5 (NationPress) Residents of Delhi woke up on Thursday to find the air quality categorized as ‘poor’, despite predictions from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for a clear sky accompanied by shallow fog.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), at 6:00 am, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) for the national capital was 279, showing significant improvement from Wednesday's ‘very poor’ AQI of 339.

Among various monitoring sites, Lodhi Road, Narela, and Dilshad Garden reported the best air quality on Thursday, registering AQI levels in the ‘moderate’ category. Data from 39 monitoring stations indicated that while 18 stations remained in the ‘very poor’ segment, the others reported ‘poor’ air quality.

Several areas of the city continued to face ‘very poor’ pollution levels. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 332, Bawana at 306, and Ashok Vihar at 320. Other regions with similarly elevated pollution levels included Dwarka Sector 8 (328), RK Puram (314), Rohini (322), and Patparganj (307), according to CPCB data.

Conversely, some areas of the capital showed relatively better air quality. Aya Nagar recorded an AQI of 214, while Chandni Chowk marked 218. Sonia Vihar also showed improvement with an AQI of 299, although these figures still fell within the ‘poor’ category.

DTU also registered poor air quality with an AQI of 264. Other locations such as Mandir Marg (214), Najafgarh (258), and CRRI Mathura Road (226) reflected similar pollution levels, remaining in the ‘poor’ category.

Narela, however, outperformed many other areas of Delhi, achieving an AQI of 195 and moving into the ‘moderate’ category, as indicated by CPCB figures.

According to the AQI classification system, readings between 0 and 50 are deemed ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.

The CPCB had reported on Wednesday that the overall air quality in Delhi was classified as ‘very poor’, with the city’s average AQI at 339.

Looking ahead, the IMD has forecast partly cloudy skies along with shallow fog over the next five days. No weather warnings have been issued for Delhi during this time frame.

Beginning February 8, moderate fog is anticipated to return. The weather department has not issued any alerts for the coming days, with temperatures expected to remain steady, with maximum temperatures ranging from 22 to 24 degrees Celsius and minimums from 8 to 11 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) announced on Wednesday that Kaka Nagar is the first residential colony to implement a fully mechanized and dust-free cleaning system. NDMC Chairman Keshav Chandra stated that this initiative aims to enhance air quality and encourage sustainable sanitation practices in urban settings.

Throughout northern India, cold wave conditions and fog persisted on Thursday, with the IMD issuing warnings of dense to very dense fog in several states during morning and night hours. This lingering fog has been accompanied by a significant drop in temperatures, particularly across the Indo-Gangetic plains, where minimum temperatures have plummeted by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius below normal.

The IMD noted that dense fog is likely in isolated areas of Uttar Pradesh, as well as over Bihar, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Madhya Pradesh. In Uttarakhand, the IMD has indicated the potential for ground frost at various locations, which could impact crops and create challenges for early morning commuters.

The IMD further reported that minimum temperatures across northwest India are not expected to change significantly in the coming days. However, Uttar Pradesh may see a gradual decline of 2 to 3 degrees Celsius. In the central and eastern regions of the country, night temperatures are projected to fall over the next 48 to 72 hours before stabilizing.

Under the influence of an active western disturbance, isolated to scattered rainfall and snowfall is anticipated over Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand on February 5 and 6. The IMD has issued yellow alerts in these areas, advising caution due to slippery roads and reduced visibility in higher altitude regions.