Delhi woke up to clear skies on Tuesday, with the minimum temperature recorded at 15.7 degrees Celsius, which is 1.7 degrees above the seasonal average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The morning relative humidity stood at 87% at 8:30 am, reflecting a slight moisture presence despite the rising temperatures.
The IMD has predicted strong surface winds throughout the day, which may provide some relief from the heat. The maximum temperature is expected to reach around 34 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, a rise from Monday’s high of 32.6 degrees Celsius. This marks a continuing trend of increasing daytime temperatures in the national capital.
Delhi’s air quality took a hit on Tuesday, slipping into the ‘poor’ category. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 283 at 9 am. This marks a significant decline from Monday’s AQI of 197, which fell under the ‘moderate’ category.
For reference, AQI levels are categorised as follows: ‘good’ (0-50), ‘satisfactory’ (51-100), ‘moderate’ (101-200), ‘poor’ (201-300), ‘very poor’ (301-400), and ‘severe’ (401-500). The shift from ‘moderate’ to ‘poor’ indicates an increase in air pollutants, which could affect individuals sensitive to pollution, particularly those with respiratory conditions.
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Monday’s maximum temperature of 32.6 degrees Celsius was also noteworthy, as it was the second-highest recorded this season, just behind Sunday’s peak of 32.8 degrees Celsius. With temperatures steadily rising, meteorologists suggest that Delhi may soon experience early summer conditions.
(With inputs from PTI)
