New Delhi, Dec 23 (UNI) A thick blanket of smog engulfed the National Capital Region (NCR) on Tuesday as air quality deteriorated sharply, breaching the ‘severe’ category in several cities. Noida recorded the most polluted air in the country.
At 4 pm on Tuesday, Noida’s 24-hour rolling average Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 426, the highest nationwide, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Delhi followed closely, with AQI readings touching 412.
Neighbouring cities Ghaziabad and Greater Noida recorded AQI levels of 398 and 388, respectively, hovering on the brink of the ‘severe’ category. Gurugram, with an AQI of 364, remained in the ‘very poor’ range, while Faridabad fared relatively better at 239.
The CPCB classifies air quality as ‘moderate’ when AQI ranges between 101 and 200, ‘poor’ between 201 and 300, and ‘very poor’ between 301 and 400. AQI levels above 400 fall in the ‘severe’ category. However, for the implementation of emergency measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), AQI values of 450 and above are classified as ‘severe plus’. AQI levels above 400 affect healthy individuals and pose serious risks to people with pre-existing health conditions.
Experts attributed the increased pollutant levels to poor dispersion owing to calm winds, low temperatures, and moisture-laden air.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), calmer winds were reported across Delhi with wind speeds reaching only up to 6 kmph, accumulating the pollutants near the ground.
Poor winds and colder temperatures pushed several pollution monitoring stations across the city into the ‘severe’ air category. Of the 40 active monitoring stations, half crossed the ‘severe’ mark, with nearly 10 others hovering near the 400 mark. At 455, Nehru Nagar recorded the worst air quality levels, breaching the ‘severe’ plus mark.
According to the Centre’s Early Warning System of Delhi’s Air Quality Management, the situation is likely to improve from Wednesday through Thursday, with the city recording AQI in the ‘very poor’ category.
A fresh feeble Western Disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan Region from December 27 onwards, said IMD. A feeble western disturbance over the weekend could again deteriorate air quality as opposing wind currents weaken surface winds, noted the experts.
Meanwhile, the city’s maximum temperature rose by 1.5 degrees Celsius to settle at 23.2°C, about 2.5 degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature dropped to 8.8°C, remaining near the normal range.
