Delhi Braces for Severe Air Pollution as Cold Spell Looms, Temperatures to Rise
Image Source: Internet
A severe cold spell is gripping Delhi, with the city's minimum temperature plummeting to 4.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday, a staggering 3.2 degrees below the season's average. As the mercury continues to drop, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has worsened, breaching the 'severe' category at 416 by 6 pm. According to Skymet Weather, temperatures are expected to rise gradually from January 17 to 20, but another cold spell is forecasted between January 23 and 26, signaling a return to icy conditions. Dense fog has also plagued the city, with a maximum temperature recorded at 24.6 degrees Celsius, five notches above normal. The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and adjoining areas has invoked Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) due to the deteriorating air quality. While GRAP Stage 3 restrictions were lifted on January 2, several preventive measures under GRAP Stages 1 and 2 remain in force. The IMD and IITM predict that Delhi's AQI will continue to worsen, potentially breaching the 400-mark and entering the 'severe plus' category due to slow wind speed, stable atmosphere, and unfavourable weather parameters.
