Its Severe+: Delhi’s air quality just got worse

This was due to meteorological conditions such as extremely calm winds, which are unfavourable for the dispersal of pollutants. For the past five days, it has caused particulate matter pollution to remain trapped and worsen. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the wind speed was below 8 kmph on Thursday and it was 4-6 kmph on Wednesday.

According to the IMD forecast, the minimum temperature will hover around 5 to 8 degrees Celsius in the next six days, and the maximum is forecast to be around 22 to 24 degrees Celsius. Express Photo by Praveen Khanna

CPCB data shows that so far, there have been three ‘severe+’ days and eight ‘severe’ days between November 1 and December 19. This month was initially cleaner with six ‘moderate’ air days.

Moderate fog conditions prevailed on Thursday morning and the lowest visibility at Safdarjung was reported at 250 metres at 7 am. Shallow fog was reported at Palam as the visibility was 600 metres.

A ban on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel light motor vehicles, staggered timings for public offices and municipal bodies in Delhi and a few NCR districts, and a ban on all demolition work and construction activities have also kicked in again to curb pollution in the national capital. Express Photo by Gajendra Yadav

The minimum temperature was 5 degrees Celsius, three notches below normal, while the maximum was a notch above normal at 23 degrees Celsius.

As per the IMD forecast, dense fog conditions will prevail till December 22 and a yellow alert has been issued. After this, a partly cloudy sky is forecast till December 24. The minimum temperature will hover around 5 to 7 degrees Celsius and the maximum at 23 to 24 degrees Celsius. The average wind speed in the coming days is forecast to be 8 kmph and can reach up to 10 kmph.

The IMD also stated that cold wave conditions will very likely prevail over major parts of Northwest India in the next 5-7 days. It said, “A fresh and active western disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan region and adjoining plains from December 27.”