Delhi’s air quality saw a minor improvement on Thursday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 279, falling in the ‘poor’ category. Despite this, severe cold wave conditions persisted in Delhi-NCR for the second consecutive day, with dense fog and chilly winds causing a significant temperature drop.
Compared to Wednesday’s AQI of 302, the capital’s air quality was slightly better. However, certain areas like Nehru Nagar, Anand Vihar, and Jahangirpuri still experienced ‘very poor’ air quality. R.K. Puram remained in the ‘very poor’ category with an AQI of 326.
In specific locations, air quality levels varied. Vivek Vihar and Chandni Chowk reported an AQI of 322 each, while Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range recorded 320. Sirifort and Okhla Phase-2 had AQIs of 319 and 313, respectively.
Patparganj registered an AQI of 307, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 306, Pusa 305, and Rohini 301, all falling under the ‘very poor’ category. Sonia Vihar and IHBAS Dilshad Garden recorded an AQI of 298, followed by Mundka at 297. Ashok Vihar and Punjabi Bagh stood at 296 each.
Narela and Sri Aurobindo Marg had an AQI of 281, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium 276, ITO 271, DTU 269, and Alipur 268. Shadipur reported an AQI of 266, Najafgarh 255, and North Campus, Delhi University, 247. Aya Nagar had an AQI of 244, CRRI Mathura Road 238, and IIT Delhi 237.
Burari Crossing recorded a moderate air quality with an AQI of 174. According to CPCB standards, an AQI between 0 and 50 is ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.
Meanwhile, Delhi-NCR continued to face intense cold wave conditions for the second day. Dense fog and cold winds contributed to the chill and reduced visibility. The maximum temperature on Wednesday was 16.7 degrees Celsius, slightly higher than Tuesday’s 15.7 degrees Celsius.
The India Meteorological Department predicted a notable rise in the maximum temperature on Thursday, with no significant change expected in the following days. Moderate to dense fog was forecast in Delhi and upper-level fog across the Indo-Gangetic Plain on Thursday.
Cold conditions are set to escalate in northern India until January 15, with a yellow alert issued for moderate to dense fog in many places. Following that, a partly cloudy sky with shallow to moderate fog is expected until January 13.
