For the third day in a row on Friday, Delhi saw the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the ‘moderate’ category. At 197, the recorded AQI was slightly worse than Thursday’s 165.
On Thursday, in view of the improved AQI levels in the capital, the Supreme Court allowed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to relax the emergency measures implemented in the city under Phase IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Up to Phase II.
The storm that lasted until Friday helped spread the pollution. This, coupled with ample sunshine, led to clear air.
On Friday, the wind speed decreased to less than 12 kmph from the northwest direction, which was between 12 and 20 kmph the previous day. The AQI is forecast to remain in the ‘severe’ category till Monday.
After that, it fluctuates between ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’, according to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast moderate showers and light rain or thundershowers on Sunday. “A fresh western disturbance is likely to affect western Himalayan region from December 7 night and adjoining plains of northwest India from December 8,” it added.
On Friday, the day temperature was 25.1 degrees Celsius and the minimum was 8.5 degrees Celsius. Moderate fog is forecast for Monday and Tuesday, with temperatures dropping further.
According to the IMD, the temperature will gradually drop to 6 degrees Celsius by December 10 and the maximum temperature will be around 24 degrees Celsius.