New Delhi, December 15: After a few days of relief, air pollution in the capital Delhi once again reached dangerous levels on Monday. At 12 noon, many areas of Delhi recorded an air quality index of 500 or more, leaving the capital once again in the grip of severe pollution.
Due to rising cold and weak wind speed, fine particles of pollution remain in the atmosphere for longer periods. A thick haze prevailed during the morning and night. Visibility was recorded at around 100 meters at 2:30 am, but by 6:30 am, it had dropped to 50 meters. Vehicles on the roads slowed down, and traffic was affected in many places.
According to meteorologists, the extremely weak wind speed prevented the polluted air from dispersing. Southwesterly winds blew at a speed of 4 to 6 kilometers per hour in the morning, which failed to reduce pollution.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), air quality remained in the severe category in almost all parts of the capital. Anand Vihar recorded an average AQI of 490, with maximum levels of both PM 2.5 and PM 10 reaching 500. Ashok Vihar recorded an average AQI of 491. Bawana recorded 441, Burari 452, and Chandni Chowk 434. Dilshad Garden recorded an average AQI of 453, ITO 454, and Jahangirpuri 494. Mundka recorded 457, Narela 455, and Rohini recorded an average AQI of 500. Sonia Vihar recorded 463 and Wazirpur 495. PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations remain above hazardous levels in almost all areas.
Air quality remains extremely poor in Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad, adjacent to Delhi. Indirapuram in Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 477, Sanjay Nagar 426, and Vasundhara 490, all of which fall in the severe category. Sector 125 in Noida recorded an AQI of 461, Sector 62 420, and Sector 116 484. Knowledge Park 5 in Greater Noida recorded an AQI of 452. This clearly indicates that the entire National Capital Region is in the grip of pollution, and the situation is worsening day by day.
According to the Meteorological Department (IMD), the sky in Delhi will be mostly clear on December 15th, but light to moderate fog is possible in most areas in the morning. The maximum temperature in the capital is expected to be between 24 and 26 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature between 7 and 9 degrees Celsius. Minimum temperatures are expected to be slightly above normal, while maximum temperatures are expected to be up to 2 degrees above normal. The weather is not expected to change significantly on December 16th, although wind speeds may increase to 25 kilometers per hour during the afternoon, which is expected to provide some relief from pollution.
According to the Decision Support System for Air Quality Management in Delhi (DSS), traffic accounted for 11.78 percent of pollution in the capital on December 15. Pollution was recorded from industries at 5.96 percent, manufacturing at 1.62 percent, roadside soil at 1.62 percent, and population-related activities at 2.9 percent. Other sources accounted for about 32 percent.