Delhi’s air quality has rapidly deteriorated to “severe” on the air quality index (AQI) on Thursday morning, when residents woke up to an AQI of 452.
An AQI between 401 and 500 is considered severe, which can affect healthy people and severely affect people with existing health problems, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The AQI was in the “very poor” category – between 301 and 400 – as of Wednesday afternoon, but quickly worsened to “severe” due to a change in weather conditions.
The wind speed gradually decreased and calmed down, leaving no room for the dispersion of pollutants overnight.
Read also | The change in wind pattern covers Delhi in a thick layer of smoke
Scientists from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said a layer of smoke and pollution had settled closer to the surface on Wednesday, blocking sunlight and reducing visibility during the day. Weather conditions led to a drop in the maximum temperature to 28 degrees Celsius (C), 2 degrees C below normal, on Wednesday.
“Smog-like conditions have developed due to air pollution, low wind speeds and subsidence of cold air in this region. The air is thinning over the northern plains, particularly the National Capital of Delhi (NCR) region. As a result, the dispersal of pollutants is not possible, ”said Vijay Soni, a scientist in the air quality division, IMD.
The Air Quality Early Warning System under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) had said that air quality began to deteriorate significantly after 10:00 am on Wednesday due to heavy subsidence and build-up. of contaminants.
The AQI may reach the upper end of the very poor to severe category before improvement begins on Thursday, it has forecast.
“We expect the wind speed to be low for the next few days. I don’t see these conditions improving right away, ”said Kuldeep Shrivastava, director of the regional weather forecast center.
Thursday’s low temperature rose to 12.1 degrees C, compared to 10.6 degrees C the day before.
“There is shallow fog on Thursday. The minimum temperature has increased due to the layer of contamination, which does not allow heat from the surface to radiate at night, ”added Shrivastava.
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