Delhi woke up to a hazy morning on November 2 as a thin layer of smog engulfed the city, marking the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 278, placing it firmly in the ‘poor’ category. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System, the alarming situation is set to worsen, with pollution levels likely to slip into the ‘very poor’ category between November 6 and 8.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) confirmed that the national capital’s AQI recorded this morning stands at 278. Experts urge residents to stay vigilant, warning that air quality could deteriorate further by the evening due to low wind speeds and the accumulation of pollutants in the air.
The Early Warning System forecast anticipates a gradual increase in wind speed, possibly reaching 15 kmph from the northwest direction during the afternoon. However, this speed may drop below 10 kmph by evening and night. The sky is expected to remain mainly clear, although mist or haze is likely to linger, impacting visibility.
According to the CPCB’s classification, an AQI falling between 0 and 50 is termed “good,” 51 to 100 is “satisfactory,” 101 to 200 is “moderate,” 201 to 300 is “poor,” 301 to 400 is “very poor,” and anything from 401 to 500 is considered “severe.” Current conditions place Delhi residents at a heightened risk due to the ongoing poor air quality.
The minimum temperature recorded in the city settled at 12.7 degrees Celsius, which is 2.6 degrees below the seasonal average, while humidity hovered at 75 per cent at 8:30 am. The maximum temperature is expected to reach around 29 degrees Celsius today, with the weather department forecasting continued mist and haze throughout the day.
In light of increasing pollution levels, health experts advise residents to limit outdoor activities, particularly during early morning and late evening hours when the air quality is most concerning. Individuals with respiratory issues and the elderly should exercise extra caution.