The city’s air took a little worse on Sunday as a result of a marginal increase in agricultural fires in neighboring states and slower winds over the National Capital Region (NCR), government agencies said.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average air quality index (AQI) was 256 on Sunday, up from 231 the day before, both classified as “poor.”
Meanwhile, meteorological scientists have predicted a further increase in pollution from December 2, with temperatures expected to drop and winds likely to subside.
Scientists at the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) have predicted below-normal minimum temperatures in parts of north and northwest India, including Delhi, this winter.
“The minimum temperature is likely to remain between 6-8 degrees Celsius for the next week. Usually this temperature drop is observed from December 20 to 22, but it is likely to occur in the first two weeks of the month this year. This can affect air quality as the winds are likely to calm down between December 4-5, ”said Kuldeep Srivastava, head of IMD’s regional weather forecast center (RWFC).
On Sunday, the Safdarjung Observatory, whose readings are taken as representative of Delhi’s climate, recorded a minimum temperature of 7 ° C, three levels below normal. The maximum was 26.4 ° C, one above normal, while the winds blew at speeds of between 8 and 10 km / h.
“Wind speeds will remain more or less the same for the next few days, but will slow down from December 2,” he added.
Based on IMD’s seasonal outlook for December to February released on Friday, nights and early mornings are likely to be chilly with lows below normal in most of the north, northwest and center and some parts of the eastern India, while daytime temperatures are likely to be lower. above normal in the same regions.
According to the Weather and Air Quality Research and Forecast System (Safar), the air quality forecast wing of the Union Ministry, the ratio of stubble burning to the city’s PM2.5 levels on Sunday increased to 6% from 4% the day before. “The number of fire counts was 464. Ventilation conditions are likely to decrease as of December 2 and air quality is likely to deteriorate to a ‘very poor’ area thereafter,” the bulletin said. Safar.
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