Delhi Weather: Drizzle in city, air quality ‘severe’

Delhi Weather: Delhiites woke up to a drizzle and fog on Monday morning with the minimum temperature settling at 8.6 degrees Celsius, a notch below the seasonal average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

At 8.30 am, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 402, in the ‘severe’ category, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed.

The rain is expected to improve the air quality in the coming hours.

Humidity level in the city was recorded at 95 per cent at 8.30 am.

The maximum temperature is expected to settle around 20 degrees Celsius, the IMD said.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Delhi experienced a foggy morning, with the minimum temperature recorded at 7.3 degrees Celsius, two notches below the season’s average.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) deteriorated from 370 on Saturday to 393, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The humidity level was recorded at 97 percent at 8.30 am, the IMD stated.

The maximum temperature is likely to touch 24 degrees Celsius.

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On Saturday, Delhi experienced a foggy morning as the minimum temperature settled at 7.6 degrees Celsius, slightly below the season’s average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The city’s air quality showed significant improvement, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) declining to 392, categorised as ‘very poor’, compared to 429 on Friday, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. Key areas recorded the following AQI levels: Anand Vihar at 414, Dwarka Sector 8 at 413, Rohini at 425, Lodhi Road at 362, and Delhi University’s North Campus at 376.

Delhi continues to remain under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the most stringent anti-pollution measures. These include a ban on construction activities and the entry of non-essential polluting trucks into the city.

Humidity levels were recorded at 100% at 8:30 am, the IMD reported. The maximum temperature for the day is expected to reach 23 degrees Celsius.

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The weather office has forecasted dense fog over the weekend, which will likely reduce visibility further. However, light to moderate rainfall is expected on December 26, which could bring temporary relief from the toxic air.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.