Thick smog blankets Delhi-NCR, airport issues advisory; AQI remains very poor

Thick smog continued to shroud Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Thursday morning as the capital saw a deterioration in the air quality index, recorded at 358, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Four of the 39 monitoring stations in Delhi recorded AQI in the severe category, while some were on the brink.

Visuals from various parts of Delhi and the NCR, including Noida, showed visibility significantly curtailed due to thick smog. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted a foggy situation in the early hours of Thursday. However, the weather body also forecast that the presence of surface winds during the day will prevent prolonged foggy conditions, thereby allowing visibility to improve as the day progresses.

The 24-hour average AQI in Delhi settled at 334 on Wednesday. In Noida, Greater Noida and Gurugram – all in NCR – the AQI was recorded at 331, 310 and 279, respectively.

The predominant surface wind is likely to be from the northwest direction with wind speeds up to 10 kmph during the morning hours, the IMD said. The wind speed will increase to 15 kmph from the northwest in the afternoon before dropping below 10 kmph from the west in the evening and night. This variation in wind patterns is expected to assist in dispersing the fog and maintaining clearer conditions during daylight hours on Thursday.

The Delhi airport issued an advisory, alerting passengers of foggy conditions across the capital. It said that though flight operations remain normal, passengers can contact their respective airlines to get updated information on their flights. "Low visibility procedures are in progress at Delhi airport," the advisory added.

Air India and SpiceJet also issued advisories, urging passengers to check their flight status before starting their journey as fog in Delhi and other north Indian states may impact operations.

The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi predicted the AQI to oscillate between very poor and severe categories over the next six days. The IMD has forecast no significant change in the minimum temperature in northwest India during the next two days and a gradual rise by 2 degrees Celsius thereafter during the subsequent two days.

Delhi-NCR is yet to witness any cold wave this season, with the harsh winters that typically set in by this time of December missing. On Wednesday, the capital recorded a minimum temperature of 10.4 degrees Celsius, 2.3 notches below normal, while the maximum temperature settled at 24.7 degrees Celsius, 2.5 degrees above normal, according to the IMD.

Meanwhile, restrictions on vehicles below BS-VI norms and lacking Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificates begin today. Under Grap IV, the strictest anti-pollution curbs, fuels will be denied to vehicles without the PUCC and all non-Delhi vehicles below BS-VI norms will be barred from entering the capital.

- Ends

(With inputs from agencies)

Tune In