Delhi's air pollution levels on Thursday stayed in the "very poor'" category despite showing a declining trend.
According to reports, the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 341 at 8 am. However, it is expected to improve further due to favourable weather conditions. Earlier, the Centre’s panel on Delhi-NCR’s air quality revoked Stage IV curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan amid a dip in pollution levels.
Stage IV curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) included a ban on all construction activities, entry of non-essential polluting trucks into Delhi, and mandatory shifting of school classes, except for classes 10 and 12, to hybrid mode.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI levels in different parts of Delhi as of 6 am ton Thursday were as follows: Vivek Vihar (372), Okhla Phase 2 (369), Rohini (377), ITO (340), Ashok Vihar (362), Wazirpur (366), Shadipur (319), Jahangirpuri (375), Narela (325), DTU (297), R.K. Puram (391), Anand Vihar (370), Pusa (358), and Punjabi Bagh (363).
Delhi Airport issues advisory
Earlier today, the Delhi airport issued an advisory to all flyers giving a fog alert. It stated that the low visibility procedures are still in place at the airport though there had been no impact on flights.
Trains delayed
A layer of fog covered parts of Delhi as the minimum temperature dropped to 7°C with a forecast of dense fog, as per India Meteorological Department (IMD). According to ANI, 18 trains to Delhi from various parts of the country are running late due to dense fog conditions.
What does IMD predict?
The IMD issued a yellow alert for four days, till Sunday, warning of dense fog and thunderstorms due to a fresh western disturbance. The IMD said the minimum temperature may rise up to 11°C by Friday, before dipping again from next week. It forecast a maximum temperature of 21°C.
An IMD official told Hindustan Times, “A moderate fog is likely to form in the morning for the next three days. A dense fog has been forecast for Sunday.” IMD classifies it a “shallow fog” when the visibility is between 500 metres and 1,000m, a “moderate fog” when visibility is between 200m and 500m, a “dense fog” when visibility is between 50m and 100m, and a “very dense” fog if the visibility falls below the 50-metre threshold.
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