Delhi AQI stands below 300; though several areas remain under 'poor' category

Delhi continued to face serious concerns over air pollution amid winter cold wave on Tuesday morning, as the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city remained at 285, which categorized it as "poor" according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards.

There were already several areas across the city where the pollution levels were alarming and indicating that air quality was still the same in other places; thereby, it was very unhealthy.

Burari Crossing was one such place, which registered an AQI of 245, still a poor and unsafe condition for sensitive groups. Shadipur and Wazirpur had very close AQIs—276 and 221, both under 'poor' category, but Wazirpur could be slightly considered a better spot due to its lower AQI.

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Chandni Chowk and Rohini record very poor air quality

A considerable portion of the city and particularly Chandni Chowk suffered from very poor air quality as it had the highest AQI figure of 352, thus, including itself in one of the most polluted places of Delhi.

Rohini, on contrary, also received very unfavorable air quality with an AQI of 330 while R K Puram reported 331, which was also a very high level of air pollution, catergorising under 'very poor' air quality.

The area around IGI Airport (Terminal 3) was relatively cleaner in comparison to other areas with an AQI of 193, which classifies it under the 'moderate' category but still needs caution.

Cold weather contributes to stagnant air and pollution buildup

Delhi's already poor air quality is being aggravated by the cold weather as low temperatures hinder air circulation thereby trapping pollutants close to the ground.

According to IMD, winter conditions continue to prevail with chilly mornings and windless conditions adding to pollution slicking. The public, especially children, the aged, and those with respiratory illnesses, are recommended to cut down on their outdoor activities during the high pollution time.

Kashmir experiences freezing temperatures and dry weather

Where the capital seems to struggle with dense air pollution, Kashmir experiences its extreme cold weather.

The temperature in Kashmir is estimated to be around 2 degree Celcius, which is a sign of a very hard winter spell. These freezing and dry conditions are very ordinary for the valley during winter, and they frequently give rise to frozen water bodies and hardships for the people living there.

Winter in Rajasthan is milder than that in Kashmir, but it is still quite noticeable. The average temperature is around 11 degree Celcius. The dry air and cooler temperatures are typical for this time of the year, especially in desert areas, which leads to cold nights and warm afternoons.

Uttarakhand records mild winter with comfortable daytime temperatures

On the other hand, Uttarakhand is also in the winter but in a slightly more moderate way. The average temperature is around 15 degree Celcius with 60 per cent humidity. The mountains of the state may have colder nights, while the lowlands enjoy relatively warm days.

In general, the northern region of India is have a strong winter influence, where on one hand, Delhi is battling with pollution, on the other hand, Kashmir is going through an extremely cold winter, and the other parts like Rajasthan and Uttarakhand are having their annual temperature drops.

The phenomenon of the changing weather patterns calls for a greater understanding and environmental responsibility along with the usual precautionary measures during the winter months.