Delhi’s air quality remains very poor as temperatures edge up
Delhi’s air quality remains very poor as temperatures edge up
Delhi endures a stubborn AQI in the very poor range as fog lingers and temperatures rise slightly; outlook remains grim through the week.
Delhi's air quality remained in the 'very poor' category on Wednesday, with an AQI reading of 339 at 8 am as shallow fog drifted across parts of the city. The 24-hour average had been 354 (very poor) on Tuesday, marking a difficult stretch for residents. The minimum temperature rose slightly to 7.7°C, 0.2°C above normal, even as skies stayed cloudy.
Earlier this week, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) revoked curbs under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan after days of worsening air. Yet the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) bulletin warned that the AQI is likely to remain in the very poor category through Friday, with a six-day outlook showing it hovering between very poor and poor in different parts of the city. The Delhi-NCR region has continued to experience readings in and around the very poor range, underscoring a fragile improvement but no clear relief in sight.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast cloudy skies for Wednesday and issued a yellow alert for Friday, warning of possible very light rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph. These winds could persist into the weekend, aiding dispersion to an extent but not delivering a rapid clean-up of pollutants.
Temperature trends are also in flux: the minimum is expected to be around 9-11°C by Friday and then drop to 6-8°C over the weekend, continuing a pattern of chilly mornings as pollution persists. Health advisories remain in place for vulnerable groups, urging residents to limit outdoor activity during peak pollution hours, wear protective masks, and keep indoor air clean when possible.
Overall, officials say the week is unlikely to see a sharp relief in air quality despite partial improvements, with the outlook from AQEWS suggesting a continued struggle between weather conditions and pollution levels. Residents are advised to stay updated on forecasts and take precautions as the city moves through this challenging pollution phase.
