Delhi's Air Quality Dips To 'Very Poor' Levels, IMD Predicts Light Rainfall Today

The national capital woke up to another day of concerning air quality, as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 397 on Friday morning. Many areas registered AQI levels above 400, indicating 'very poor' air quality.

In specific localities, the AQI was particularly alarming, with Anand Vihar at 441, Ashok Nagar at 407, Bawana at 414, ITO at 444, Jahangirpuri at 442, Lodhi Road at 355, Mundka at 424, Narela at 400, Patparganj at 428, Punjabi Bagh at 432, Rohini at 418, and Vivek Vihar at 416, according to CPCB data.

The situation was no different in the National Capital Region (NCR), where the air quality also languished in the 'very poor' category. The AQI, which categorizes air quality from 'good' to 'severe,' serves as a crucial indicator for public health concerns.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good," 51 to 100 "satisfactory," 101 to 200 "moderate," 201 to 300 "poor," 301 to 400 "very poor," and 401 to 500 "severe." The current readings suggest a critical need for immediate measures to address air pollution in the region.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a minimum temperature of 7.4 degrees Celsius in Delhi, within the normal range for this season. Additionally, the forecast anticipates light rainfall during the day, offering a potential respite for the city's residents.

At 8:30 am, the relative humidity was recorded at 100%, and the IMD predicts shallow to moderate fog during the day. The expected rainfall, if realized, may play a crucial role in improving the air quality and providing relief to the residents of the national capital.

Looking ahead, the IMD forecasts a minimum temperature range of 4-8 degrees Celsius over major parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and north Rajasthan. Meanwhile, temperatures are expected to remain in the range of 8-12 degrees Celsius over most parts of Uttar Pradesh, south Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and interior Odisha.

The weather department also anticipates a 2-3 degrees Celsius rise in minimum temperature over Northwest and East India in the next three days. However, there will be no significant change in minimum temperature likely over central India during the next 24 hours.

Despite the expected rise in temperature, addressing the persistent air quality issues in Delhi remains a pressing concern. Authorities are urged to take proactive measures to mitigate pollution and protect the health of the city's residents.