Delhi Pollution: Delhi woke up to rain accompanied by thunder on Thursday. The air quality continues to remain in the ‘very poor’ category amid a cold wave, with the AQI recorded at 356 at 6 am. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted light rain accompanied by thunderstorms during the morning hours. Smog and shallow fog will prevail during the evening and night. A yellow alert has been issued for dense fog. The maximum and minimum temperatures in the national capital will remain 17°C and 10°C, respectively.
AQI Across Delhi
Wazirpur, (434), Rohini (431), Shadipur (330), Anand Vihar (404), Ashok Vihar (414), Bawana (412), Jahangirpuri (409), Vivek Vihar (404), Narela (390) Najafgarh (322), Patparganj (390), R K Puram (368), Pusa (321).
#WATCH | Fresh spell of light rain lashes parts of the national capital
Visuals from Pandit Pant marg and Talkatora road pic.twitter.com/nkRXaqlyIo
---Advertisement---— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2025
#WATCH | Delhi | Fresh spell of light rain lashes parts of the national capital
Visuals from Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital pic.twitter.com/GA7y85rkax
— ANI (@ANI) January 15, 2025
GRAP III & IV Stages Invoked
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Wednesday invoked all actions under both Stages III and IV of revised GRAP in the entire NCR. The action was taken after an increasing trend in air quality levels was recorded on 15 January with AQI touching 386. The CAQM attributed deteriorating air quality levels to dense foggy conditions, low temperatures and unfavourable meteorological conditions.
The CAQM stated, “The AQI of Delhi for 14.01.2025 which reported as 275, exhibited a sharp increasing trend on 15.01.2025 and logging the AQI of 386 owing to dense foggy conditions and low temperatures leading to extremely low mixing height & ventilation coefficient for dispersion of pollutants.”
It further added that the AQI is likely to breach the 400 mark as predicted by the IMD/IITM.
CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP invokes all actions under both Stages III & IV of revised GRAP in the entire NCR, with immediate effect.
For more details, visit: https://t.co/B02PSZq8ZP pic.twitter.com/P7mTxNxsk8
— Commission for Air Quality Management (@CAQM_Official) January 15, 2025
Delhi Pollution: Will Air Quality Improve?
When residents will get relief from deteriorating air pollution is a question that keeps lingering. Experts say that favourable meteorological conditions like rain and surface winds can impact AQI. According to them, rain can help improve the air quality as precipitation washes away pollutants from the air. It can lead to temporary reduction in the concentration of harmful pollutants in the air.
However, experts also say that extent of improvement depends on the duration and intensity of the rain. While heavy rain is likely to have more impact, light showers offer a temporary improvement.
But, other factors like dense foggy conditions also determine the AQI. Fog worsens air quality by trapping pollutants close to the ground and preventing it from spreading.
