Delhi-NCR shivers in biting cold, AQI also in 'very poor' category; when will relief come?

After a brief respite of only two days due to reduced wind speed, Delhi-NCR's pollution levels returned to the 'very poor' category on Sunday. The average AQI was recorded at 307 on Sunday, and the air quality remained toxic on Monday morning. Delhi's AQI increased by approximately 40 points in the last 24 hours. Along with this, the cold weather continues to intensify.

On Monday morning, the air quality in Delhi-NCR remained poor, with AQI levels at several monitoring stations remaining in the 'very poor' category.

People shivering in the intense cold.

Amidst the cold and biting weather, Delhi will experience fluctuating temperatures this week. There will be some decrease in both maximum and minimum temperatures at times, and a slight increase at others.

On Sunday, the minimum temperature increased by half a degree, while the maximum temperature decreased by two degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature was 7.4 degrees Celsius, which is 0.5 degrees below average. The maximum temperature was recorded at 17.3 degrees Celsius, which is 2.0 degrees above average.

The Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate fog on Monday. The maximum temperature is expected to be 18 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature eight degrees Celsius. Over the next week, the maximum temperature is likely to range between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is expected to be between eight and 10 degrees Celsius.

Nearly two and a quarter times more pollutant particles in the air

According to standards, air is considered healthy only when the level of pollutant particles PM10 is below 100, and PM2.5 is below 60.

According to the CPCB, around 2 PM on Sunday, the average level of PM10 in the air of Delhi and NCR was 222.8 and the average level of PM2.5 was 135.1 micrograms per cubic meter. This means that the air in Delhi-NCR contains nearly two and a quarter times more pollutant particles than the prescribed standards.

Low probability of the air becoming completely clean

There is little chance of the pollution in Delhi's air clearing completely anytime soon. In fact, the current level of pollution in Delhi's air can only be completely cleared by weather factors such as good rainfall or consistently strong winds.

Situation in some major areas of Delhi-NCR on Monday morning

On Monday morning, the air quality in Delhi-NCR remained at alarming levels once again. Due to a combination of fog and pollution, the AQI in several areas remained above 200, falling into the 'Poor' to 'Very Poor' category. Health experts have advised children, the elderly, and people with respiratory problems to exercise caution when going outside.

The worst situation was recorded at ITO in the morning, where the AQI reached 256. This was followed by Srinivas Puri at 250, Anand Vihar at 216, and Patparganj at 210.  The AQI in Chandni Chowk, a busy area of ​​the capital, was also recorded at 207. In the NCR areas, the AQI was 200 in Vasundhara, 193 in Noida Sector-125, 189 in Jahangirpuri and Loni, and 174 in Sector-51 of Gurugram.

Experts say that due to the increasing cold and low wind speed, pollutants are not dispersing, which is preventing any improvement in the AQI. People are urged to avoid going outside unless necessary and to use N95 masks. The CPCB and concerned agencies are monitoring the situation.