Will Smog Cover Delhi Again as AQI Hits Very Poor Levels?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Delhi's AQI has reached alarming levels, with Jahangirpuri at 405.
- Dense smog and fog have significantly reduced visibility.
- Government efforts are underway to combat pollution effectively.
- Residents are urged to take precautions to safeguard their health.
- Air quality remains a serious concern across the NCR.
New Delhi, Dec 12 (NationPress) On Friday morning, Delhi was enveloped in a thick layer of smog, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting 331 by 7 a.m., categorizing the city once again as 'very poor', as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Jahangirpuri stood out as the most affected area, recording an AQI of 405, placing it in the 'severe' range.
This heavy smog and dense fog drastically lowered visibility throughout the city. Anand Vihar logged an AQI of 395, with other notable pollution hotspots being Vivek Vihar at 393, Ashok Vihar at 382, Bawana at 373, NSIT Dwarka at 388, Rohini at 385, Wazirpur at 397, Chandni Chowk at 368, and DTU at 371.
Despite slight improvements in the previous weeks, many regions of Delhi remain shrouded in hazardous haze. Areas such as Ghazipur and Anand Vihar reported significant smog, complicating morning travel. Sonia Vihar had an AQI of 346, while Wazirpur peaked at 397 and Dhaula Kuan recorded 337.
Nearby regions also faced similar air quality deterioration. In Noida, Sector 116 hit the 400 mark, with the city's average AQI at 360. Greater Noida noted an AQI of 342. In Uttar Pradesh, Meerut averaged 374 across three monitoring points, while Loni in Ghaziabad reached an alarming 427.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted partly cloudy skies with shallow to moderate fog for Friday morning. The forecast indicates that minimum temperatures in Delhi will remain between 7 and 9 degrees Celsius, while daytime temperatures are expected to range from 23 to 25 degrees Celsius, consistent with seasonal averages.
Previously, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta reassured residents that the government is actively addressing pollution issues in the capital. She emphasized that the battle against pollution is ongoing in a “continuous mission mode.” In statements to the press, Gupta mentioned that efforts to install mist-spraying systems on electric poles throughout the city are currently in progress to mitigate particulate matter.
“Our relentless fight against pollution in Delhi continues in mission mode. Smoke, dust, vehicle emissions, open garbage burning, and wood burning together form a layer of pollutants. The Delhi government is tackling each contributing factor. Installation of mist systems at electric poles is underway to combat pollution. The government remains proactive on every front,” CM Gupta declared.
Delhi had experienced a three-day stretch of subpar air quality, with Thursday’s AQI at 285, just below the 'very poor' threshold of 301.
The CPCB categorizes AQI levels into various ranges: 0-50 indicates 'good', 51-100 is 'satisfactory', 101-200 is 'moderate', 201-300 is 'poor', 301-400 is 'very poor', and 401-500 is 'severe'.
The IMD added that minimum temperatures across northwest India, including Delhi and surrounding NCR areas, are expected to remain stable for the next two days before rising by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius in the following three days.