Severe Air Quality Decline in Delhi-NCR Amid Cold Wave and Fog
Deteriorating Air Quality and Visibility in Delhi-NCR
As the new year begins, the air quality and visibility in Delhi-NCR have sharply declined. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted a cold wave and dense fog in the coming days, with pollution levels remaining in the 'very poor' category.
Travel Disruptions Due to Fog: Airlines Issue Warnings
The impact of fog is already evident at airports. Flight operations in Delhi have faced delays and cancellations due to fog, prompting airlines to issue advisories to manage passenger crowds and waiting times. For instance, IndiGo has canceled several flights in anticipation of low visibility and advised travelers to check for updates and seek assistance at the airport.
Concerning Trend: Smog Rising Without Stubble Burning
In a troubling development, particulate pollution in Delhi has increased despite negligible stubble burning incidents in December. A recent analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) revealed that the average PM2.5 concentration in December was higher compared to October-November, even as stubble burning contributions diminished. This indicates that local and regional sources, including vehicles, industries, waste burning, and domestic fuel, are causing significant harm during winter. CSE emphasizes that while stubble burning does have an impact, the cessation of it does not lead to cleaner air in Delhi; instead, the situation often worsens due to the city's emissions combined with winter conditions like cold air, low wind, and inversion.
Air Quality Index and Weather Forecast
According to pollution control officials, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi reached 386 on January 2, with dense fog and smog reducing visibility across many areas, disrupting daily life and prompting airlines to issue advisories.
Cold Wave Prediction: The IMD has forecasted cold wave conditions in parts of Delhi from January 2 to January 5, with similar conditions expected in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana during this period.
Temperature: The maximum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 17.3 degrees Celsius, approximately two degrees below normal, while the minimum temperature was 10.6 degrees Celsius, slightly above the seasonal average. The weather department predicts maximum temperatures between 16 to 18 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures between 8 to 10 degrees Celsius.
Dense Fog Warning: The IMD has indicated that dense to very dense fog is likely to persist in Delhi until January 6 during the early morning and night hours, increasing the risk of transportation disruptions.
Visibility Levels: Visibility dropped to 500 meters at both Safdarjung and Palam during late night and early morning hours, improving slightly to 600 meters by mid-morning. Similar conditions are expected to continue.
Air Quality Status: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported that Delhi's 24-hour average AQI remained in the 'very poor' category at 380, with 26 monitoring stations recording 'very poor' air quality and 11 stations falling into the 'severe' category, with Anand Vihar registering the worst AQI at 423.
Causes of Poor AQI: Officials attributed the rise in pollution levels to a ventilation index of less than 6,000 cubic meters per second and low wind speeds, which hindered the dispersion of pollutants.
Flight Advisory: Air India and IndiGo have issued warnings that flight schedules may be affected due to dense fog and low visibility. IndiGo has already canceled some flights to alleviate passenger inconvenience.
Coldest December in Years: December 31 marked the coldest day in Delhi since 2019, with maximum temperatures dropping to 14.2 degrees Celsius, about 6.2 degrees below normal.
Weather Forecast: The IMD predicts light clouds in the morning hours over the next few days, with light fog in some areas and dense fog in others.
Risk of Cold Days: Continuous fog and low cloud cover may lead to cold day conditions in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, and Bihar between January 1 and 3.