As the cold wave tightens its grip on northern India, air quality plummets to ‘the’severe’ category on the last day of the year, based on Central Pollution Control Board data released on Sunday.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeded 400 at various locations in Delhi, including Munirka, Dwarka, and RK Puram. Specifically, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 425, Dwarka-Sector 8 and RK Puram both stood at 426, while Munirka reached 431.
Earlier this month, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued orders to ban non-essential construction work and the operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi-NCR due to the worsening air quality.
However, exemptions were granted for construction related to national security or defense, projects of national importance, healthcare, railways, metro rail, airports, interstate bus terminals, highways, roads, flyovers, overbridges, power transmission, pipelines, sanitation, and water supply.
Meanwhile, on Sunday morning, the minimum temperature at the Safdarjung Observatory, Delhi’s primary weather station, was recorded at 11 degrees Celsius. Drone visuals from Delhi’s ITO, Subroto Park, and India Gate areas revealed dense fog blanketing the city, causing reduced visibility.
Max temp in Delhi settles at 15.9 degrees Celsius
Visibility in Delhi improved marginally on Sunday, with the maximum temperature settling at 15.9 degrees Celsius, five notches below the season’s average, according to the IMD. The minimum temperature was recorded at 11.7 degrees Celsius, five notches above normal, according to the weather department. Due to poor visibility in other states and Delhi, the Indian Railways issued a list on Sunday morning of 23 Delhi-bound trains running late due to foggy conditions.