Delhi-NCR pollution: Delhi air quality remains in ‘very poor’ category; overall AQI recorded at 397, these areas worst hit

Air pollution levels in the National Capital Region (NCR) have shattered previous records over the past few days. The deteriorating air quality has raised serious health concerns as pollution levels continue to remain dangerously high. The overall Air Quality Index(AQI) on Tuesday morning was recorded at 397 at 7 am, placing the national capital’s air in the ‘very poor’ category.

Delhi-NCR pollution: Which places in Delhi have been worst hit?

Speaking about the data published by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), there was a marginal improvement compared to Monday morning, when the AQI was in the ‘severe’ category at 418. Several areas in Delhi reported alarmingly high AQI levels. Anand Vihar and Ashok Vihar both recorded AQI readings of 444. On the other hand, Wazirpur recorded 446. Other pollution hotspots included Punjabi Bagh (437), RK Puram (421), Bawana (418), ITO (414), Chandni Chowk (412), and Dwarka Sector 8 (412).

All these locations fell in the ‘severe’ category, indicating extremely poor air quality and heightened health risks.  As per AQI classification, a reading between 0 and 50 is ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.

Adding to the deteriorating conditions, visibility across the city remained poor due to ongoing cold wave conditions. The India(BHARAT) Meteorological Department (IMD) reported dense fog in the morning hours, with moderate fog at several locations and dense fog at isolated spots, as reported by news agency ANI. The temperature around 7 am was recorded at approximately 8.2 degrees Celsius. With severe pollution, cold wave and dense fog persisting, authorities have urged citizens to limit outdoor activities, follow health advisories, and take precautions against the hazardous air quality. Meanwhile, rehearsals for the 77th Republic Day parade are currently underway at Kartavya Path.

What will the weather in Delhi-NCR be till January 22?

January 20: Partly cloudy sky. Shallow to moderate fog during morning hours. The maximum and
minimum temperatures in Delhi are likely to be in the ranges of 23°C to 25°C and 07°C to 09°C respectively. The minimum temperature will be near normal and the maximum temperatures will be
above normal (1.6 to 3.0) over Delhi.

“The predominant surface wind is likely to northwest direction with wind speed reaching upto 10 kmph during the morning hours. The wind speed will increase up to 15kmph from the northwest direction in the afternoon hours. The wind speed will decrease becoming upto 08 kmph from the north direction during the evening and night,” IMD stated.

January 21: Partly cloudy sky. According to the IMD, shallow to moderate fog during morning hours. The maximum and minimum temperatures in Delhi are likely to be in the ranges of 22°C to 24°C and 06°C to 08°C respectively.

The minimum temperatures will be near normal and the maximum temperatures will be above normal (1.6 to 3.0) over Delhi. The predominant surface wind is likely to northwest direction with wind speed reaching upto 10 kmph during the morning hours. “The wind speed will then increase becoming 15 kmph from the northwest direction in the afternoon. The wind speed will decrease up to 08 kmph from northwest direction during the evening and night,” IMD added.

January 22: Partly cloudy sky becoming generally cloudy sky towards afternoon/evening. Shallow to
moderate fog during morning hours. The maximum and minimum temperatures in Delhi are likely to
be in the ranges of 22°C to 24°C and 06°C to 08°C respectively. “The minimum temperatures will be near normal and the maximum temperatures will be above normal (1.6°C to 3.0°C) over Delhi. The predominant surface wind is likely to be from the west direction associated with calm wind reaching up to 05 kmph during morning hours. The wind speed will then increase becoming 10 kmph from the southwest direction in the afternoon. The wind speed will increase up to 15 kmph from southeast direction during the evening and night,” IMD added.