Delhi’s air quality remains in the ‘poor’ category, marking its third consecutive day of elevated pollution levels. As of 8 AM on Tuesday, the city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 274. This showed a slight improvement from the previous evening’s 280 reading. Despite all of this the blue skies and bright sunshine greeted the city’s residents on the morning of December 3.
The minimum temperature recorded was 10.5°C, notably higher than the season’s lowest of 9.5°C, observed on November 28. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), this December is expected to be milder than usual. Both maximum and minimum temperatures are predicted to stay above normal. Moreover, this is anticipated all across northwest India.
Moreover, ongoing improvement in Delhi’s air quality can be attributed to consistent winds. Winds ranging from 10 to 20 km/h are expected to persist until Thursday. These winds are combined with plenty of sunshine. The rays of sunshine will eventually help to disperse the pollutants present in the air. However, the Centre’s Early Warning System (EWS) predicts air quality will likely remain ‘poor’ from December 3 to 5. This could deteriorate to ‘very poor’ after that as well.
The latest data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) indicates that none of the 37 online monitoring stations have recorded ‘severe’ pollution levels. Whereas only six stations have reported the ‘very poor’ AQI levels, the rest fall within the ‘poor’ range. Experts have also highlighted that the lack of dense fog is the result of minimal moisture in the air. Hence this has kept the pollution levels from worsening significantly.
The weather conditions and wind patterns are providing some respite. This helps in preventing the usual seasonal fog that contributes to pollution spikes in Delhi. This comes in contrast to last December when the average AQI was recorded at 348. With several days of severe pollution, the AQI is currently improving. Experts caution that as temperatures are about to drop in the upcoming weeks, pollution levels could spike again.
