Delhi’s minimum temperature 4.9 degrees C; air quality ‘poor’

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 4.9 degrees Celsius on Sunday, three notches below the season’s average, according to the Meteorological Department. This marks a sharp drop in the mercury, further intensifying the winter chill in the national capital.

On Thursday, the city experienced its coldest day of the winter season so far, with the minimum temperature plunging to 4.5 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature is expected to settle around 23 degrees Celsius, the department added.

Meanwhile, Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘poor’ category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) registering 257 at 9 am. Poor air quality, driven by unfavourable weather conditions, persists in Delhi-NCR during winter months, particularly from November to January.

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To combat winter pollution, the Centre has revised the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), introducing stricter curbs for Delhi and NCR states. Under Stage II (Very Poor AQI), inter-state buses running on BS-IV diesel or older fuels, except CNG and EVs, are barred from entering Delhi. Earlier, this restriction was applied only under Stage III.

Additionally, during severe pollution levels (Stage III or higher), schools in Delhi and NCR districts are mandated to adopt hybrid learning for students up to Class V, offering both online and offline options. The government has also instructed resident welfare associations to provide electric heaters for sanitation and gardening staff to discourage open biomass burning.

An AQI between 201 and 300 is classified as ‘poor’.

(With inputs from PTI)