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Delhi Chills as Temperatures Plunge, Air Quality Worsens
New Delhi: The capital city is experiencing a sharp drop in temperature as December begins, with several areas recording minimum temperatures significantly below normal. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for cold wave conditions over the next three days.
Adding to the citizens’ woes, Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated once again, reaching the ‘very poor’ category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi stood at 300 on Monday. No significant improvement in air quality is expected for the next three to four days.
This year’s November was already colder than usual in Delhi. The early snowfall in the higher Himalayan regions due to Western Disturbances, coupled with winds blowing from that direction, has caused a drop in temperature across North India, including Delhi.
The decline in wind speed has contributed to the rise in pollution levels. While increased wind speed temporarily improved air quality in the past two days, bringing it to the ‘poor’ category, the situation has reversed.
While Delhi experienced good rainfall during the monsoon season, leading to improved air quality from June to September, pollution has been a persistent problem since mid-October. On Monday afternoon, PM10 levels in Delhi-NCR reached 259, and PM2.5 levels reached 140 micrograms per cubic meter, according to the CPCB. Residents can expect continued discomfort from the combination of cold and toxic air in the coming days.
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