Delhi woke up to ‘severe’ air quality on Tuesday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 401 around 7 a.m. Light rainfall on Monday failed to significantly reduce pollution levels in the city.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI levels are categorized as follows:
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- 401-450: Severe
- Above 450: Severe Plus
Among the 36 monitoring stations listed on the Centre’s Sameer app, AQI readings on Tuesday morning were mostly below 450, with a few falling below 400. The Bawana monitoring station reported the highest AQI at 455, while the IHBAS Dilshad Garden station recorded the best air quality at 222, in the “poor” category.
Weather Conditions in Delhi
Delhi and surrounding areas, including Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram, experienced light drizzle on Monday morning. The minimum temperature settled at 8.6°C, a degree below the seasonal average, while the maximum temperature reached 18.4°C, 2.3°C below normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Foggy conditions prevailed early in the day, with humidity levels ranging from 79% to 95%. The IMD forecasted cloudy skies and light rain for Tuesday, with maximum and minimum temperatures expected to hover around 19°C and 9°C, respectively.
North India Weather Updates
The impact of the weather extended beyond Delhi, as day temperatures dropped sharply in parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh following light rainfall across northern India on Monday.
In Himachal Pradesh, Shimla and nearby areas witnessed light snowfall, leading to the closure of 30 roads in the state. Punjab and Haryana experienced a notable dip in maximum temperatures as rain lashed several regions.
In Jammu and Kashmir, intense cold wave conditions persisted, with sub-freezing temperatures causing icy roads in higher-altitude areas. The weather office advised tourists to follow traffic advisories in view of hazardous road conditions.
Broader Implications
While rainfall typically helps reduce air pollution, the recent drizzle in Delhi was insufficient to bring significant relief. The severe AQI levels continue to pose health risks to residents, especially vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues. Environmental experts and policymakers stress the need for long-term measures to tackle air pollution in the capital and surrounding regions.
