At 4.2°C, Delhi sees season’s coldest day, air quality remains ‘very poor’

Delhi records season’s coldest day at 4.2°C as air quality stays in Very Poor category and dense fog continues across NCR (Express File Photo)

Delhi recorded its coldest day of the season on Saturday with the minimum temperature dipping to 4.2°C, around three degrees below the seasonal average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). After a slight relief earlier this week, the air quality across Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) remained firmly in the ‘Very Poor’ category.

Delhi’s average AQI (air quality index) stood at 346 on Saturday, as compared to 345 on Friday, data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed. Noida recorded a marginal improvement, with AQI dropping from 365 on Friday to 348 on Saturday. Gurgaon saw a similar trend, with AQI easing from 373 on Friday to 349 on Saturday. The Capital had seen a short lived relief this week as the AQI was recorded in the ‘Poor’ category on Wednesday and Thursday.

Meanwhile, wind speeds are expected to remain below 10 kmph through the coming week, a condition unfavourable for dispersal of air pollutants, according to the forecast.

According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Pune’s Air Quality and Weather Bulletin for Delhi, the air quality is likely to remain in the ‘Very Poor’ category till January 13, with a similar outlook for the subsequent six days.

The weather office has issued a yellow alert for cold wave conditions at isolated places, warning of moderate fog at many locations and dense fog at isolated pockets during morning hours on Sunday and Monday. As per the IMD, the maximum temperatures across the Capital ranged between 17°C and 20°C, while minimum temperatures hovered between 4°C and 5°C, dipping below normal at isolated locations.

Dense fog significantly reduced visibility on Saturday morning, with Safdarjung, the base station in the city, recording a low of 200 metres and Palam dropping to just 50 metres. Very light rain or drizzle was reported at isolated places, it added.

The IMD forecast indicated that maximum temperatures will remain below normal till at least Sunday, while minimum temperatures are likely to stay 1.6°C to 3°C below normal over the next few days. Fog conditions are expected to persist, with shallow to moderate fog likely till January 13.

The ventilation index values are forecast to remain well below the favourable threshold of 6,000 m²/s, indicating poor dispersion conditions.