Delhi Pollution: The air quality in the national capital continues to remain in the “severe” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The AQI was recorded at 401 on Tuesday at 7 am. Meanwhile, the minimum temperature dropped to 10.8 degrees Celsius, as recorded at 5:30 am on 24 December. Delhi witnessed light rain yesterday, which added to the prevailing cold weather conditions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted generally cloudy sky with light rain or drizzle today in the national capital. Along with it, IMD has issued yellow warning for fog. The maximum and minimum temperature will remain 20 degrees and 8 degrees Celsius respectively. A thick layer of fog continues to engulf parts of the city, affecting visibility.
AQI Across Delhi
Anand Vihar (442), Ashok Vihar (440), Jahangirpuri (424), Dwarka-Sector 8 (418), Punjabi Bagh (431), Patparganj (425), Rohini (451), R K Puram (424), Wazirpur (442), Burari Crossing (435), Vivek Vihar (433), Shadipur (360).
#WATCH | Delhi: A thick layer of fog engulfs the national capital as cold wave grips the city.
Visuals from Kartavya Path. pic.twitter.com/46iVjqgc4U---Advertisement---— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2024
#WATCH | The Air Quality Index (AQI) remains in the 'Severe' category in Delhi as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
— ANI (@ANI) December 24, 2024
(Visuals from Connaught Place) pic.twitter.com/KpxfecT8sm
AQI Remains Severe Despite GRAP IV Measures
Notably, the air quality has turned ‘severe’ despite the GRAP IV restrictions in the national capital. GRAP stage IV measures have been in effect in the entire NCR since December 16 after the deterioration in air quality.
Environmentalists have highlighted the need for comprehensive, long-term strategies to address systemic causes of pollution. Earlier, Environmentalist Vimlendu Jha said that GRAP IV measures are not a solution. “Indeed, it’s important that we actually forwarn the citizens, we keep the citizens safe but those concrete plans in terms of looking at what should be the ideal solution to pollution, what are the long-term measures for air quality improvement that have not been taken. GRAP IV is only a bandage, it is only a last-minute solution to the crisis that we are in,” he told ANI.
SC On Delhi Pollution
The Supreme Court has been continuously asking the NCR state governments to monitor the worsening air pollution level in the region. Earlier, on 19 December, it directed the NCR states to constitute multiple teams comprising officials of the police, revenue, and other departments to visit entry points to Delhi and monitor compliance with GRAP IV measures.
“Considering the magnitude of the task, all NCR states shall create multiple teams. We also make it clear that the members of the teams so constituted will work as officers of this court and not officers of any government. So long as GRAP III and GRAP IV measures are in force, they shall regularly submit reports regarding compliance as well as breaches to the respective governments and stakeholders and give copies to the CAQM so that immediate action can be taken,” said the Supreme Court.
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