Cold wave hits Delhi, AQI below 200; yet many areas under ‘poor’ category

Delhi witnessed severe pollution on Monday morning as the air quality remained in the “poor” category,indicating that a cold wave was affecting the national capital.

Temperatures drop below normal

The minimum temperature fell by 4.5 degrees Celsius to 6.5 degrees Celsius, which is below the seasonal average.

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Data from various areas showed that the Air Quality Index (AQI) was still in the poor range across most parts of the city.

The air quality was worse in Akshardham, where the AQI was 294, while it was slightly better in ITO, which recorded 256, as per the data given by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Anand Vihar tops pollution chart

However, there were a total of 11 monitoring stations which labelled air quality as being 'very poor' in the city. These areas included Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, and Chandni Chowk, which include themselves among the most polluted areas in the capital.

Anand Vihar was at the top with an AQI of 323, followed by Ashok Vihar with 304, and Chandni Chowk had a particularly high AQI of 343.

The stations like IHBAS in Dilshad Garden (310), Jahangirpuri (326), Nehru Nagar (329), Okhla Phase II (304), Rohini (313), Sirifort (306), Vivek Vihar (321), and Wazirpur (313) were other areas that fall into the very poor category.

NCR cities also affected

The AQI of Noida became worse, changing to 242 from 229 recorded on Friday.

Gurugram, which showed improvement in the air quality however very briefly, fell back to the 'poor' category on Saturday with an AQI of 244.

Earlier, the authorities had removed the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) restrictions in areas of Delhi-NCR, attributing it to the rainfall and strong winds which had been the main supporter of good air quality.

However, GRAP-1 and GRAP-2 restrictions still remain as a precautionary measure.

According to the official classification, they classify an air quality index 'poor' in the range of 201-300, 'very poor' between 301-400, and 'severe' in the range of 401-500.

IMD forecasts continued cold wave

In contrast, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that a cold wave would cover the national capital's isolated areas until January 6. It has also predicted the skies to be largely clear, with shallow to moderate fog in the mornings.

The weather is expected to be like this in Delhi with the maximum and minimum temperatures being 17 and 19 respectively while the minimum and maximum will be 7 and 9 respectively.

The minimums are likely to be a little above the normal range by around 0.1 degrees to 2.1 degrees, while the maximums are likely to be right at the normal mark.

Temperature varies by area

IMD data indicated a significant difference in night temperatures between various parts of the city.

The minimum temperature in Safdarjung, which is Delhi's main weather observatory, was recorded at 7.4 degrees Celsius, as reported by IANS.

The minimum temperature at Palam was 6.8 degrees Celsius, while the minimum at Ayanagar was 6.6 degrees Celsius. A cooler temperature at Lodhi Road, which registered 7.6 degrees, and Ridge, which at 8.9 degrees, was comparatively warm.

The relative humidity levels jaunting up to 92 per cent at 8.30 am added to the chill and made the early morning atmosphere uncomfortable.

The IMD has also predicted light rain or snow in isolated places in the higher altitudes of northern and central Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on January 5 and 6. Also, some parts of Uttarakhand are expected to have rain or snow on January 6.

Kashmir is presently having the cold wave as per the Meteorological Department, which is termed 'Chilla-e-Kalan' by the locals. Gulmarg freezes at minus 8.8, cold wave intensifies in J&K.

It is the most severe 40-day winter period when the night temperatures are often well below the freezing point. Nevertheless, the valley's plains have not been able to attract any snowfall during this season till now.

Cold wave across north India

The cold wave conditions are supposed to last over isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh till January 8. West Rajasthan will experience these conditions till January 9, while East Rajasthan might have a cold wave till January 10.