Logo

Logo

Delhi’s overall AQI notes a sudden dip

There is a strong indication that the overall air quality of Delhi will start improving, with a downward trend of average AQI already visible, and is likely to fluctuate largely between ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ categories in the coming days.

Delhi’s overall AQI notes a sudden dip

representational image [Photo : iStock]

Delhi’s overall air quality, suddenly, deteriorated  with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) clocking 407 on Sunday as per the 4PM AQI Bulletin provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which is an increase of 113 points from the AQI recorded yesterday (294), the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said.

Considering this sudden rise in the average AQl of Delhi, the Sub-Committee for invoking actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) met today to take stock of the situation, the Ministry said.

During the meeting it was noted that the sudden and steep dip in air quality parameters in last 24 hours in the region which led to the overall AQI of Delhi move into the “severe” category today is an aberration as the forecasts predict immediate improvement with the overall AQI to move into ‘very poor’ category from tonight itself.

Advertisement

As per the dynamic model and weather/ meteorological forecast provided by IMD/ IITM, there is a strong indication that the overall air quality of Delhi will start improving, with a downward trend of average AQI already visible, and is likely to fluctuate largely between ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ categories in the coming days.

“Considering the above position and after comprehensively reviewing the air quality scenario and other relevant aspects the Sub-Committee decided that ongoing actions implemented under Stage-II of GRAP along with Stage-I will continue and it is not considered necessary to invoke Stage-III of GRAP at this moment,” the Ministry said.

Various agencies responsible for implementing measures under the GRAP and Pollution Control Boards (PCBs) of NCR and DPCC have also been advised to intensify pollution control and mitigating measures under Stage-I and Stage-II of GRAP in the entire NCR to prevent deterioration of air quality. Further, the Sub-Committee is closely watching the situation and will review the air quality scenario accordingly.

The 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”.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted light isolated rainfall very likely over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi and Uttar Pradesh on January 23 and increase thereafter with scattered to fairly widespread rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm activity during January 24 to 26.

“No significant change in minimum temperatures likely over most parts of northwest and central India during the next 5 days. Rise in minimum temperatures by 2-3 degree C over many parts of East India during next 3 days and no significant change thereafter,” said the IMD.

The weather department has also predicted dense fog in isolated pockets during night and morning hours over Himachal Pradesh and Bihar during the next 24 hours and Odisha during the next 48 hours.

 

Advertisement