As the air quality in Delhi-NCR worsened and the Air Quality Index (AQI) touched ‘Severe’ levels on Wednesday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) re-imposed Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) from Thursday.
The AQI of Delhi, which was recorded at 276 on Tuesday, rose sharply to 365 on Wednesday, primarily due to smog and slow wind speeds.
The air quality in the National Capital Region was similarly poor, with Uttar Pradesh’s Noida recording an AQI of 317 in the ‘Very Poor’ category, Ghaziabad at 271 in the ‘Poor’ category, Haryana’s Faridabad at 279 in the ‘Poor’ category, and Gurugram at 310 in the ‘Very Poor’ category.
With fluctuating air quality and mild weather conditions, Delhiites and NCR residents need to stay alert regarding pollution and cooler mornings and nights.
The weather is transitioning from winter to milder temperatures, with daytime highs between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius, while night-time temperatures remain cooler, ranging from 12 to 14 degrees Celsius.
The next few days are expected to see a gradual fading of the cold spell, but air quality remains a concern for Delhi-NCR.
Meanwhile, with GRAP-3 in effect in the national capital, construction and demolition activities will be halted, all non-essential mining activities suspended, non-electric, non-CNG, and non-BS-VI diesel interstate buses restricted, and schools advised to close up to Class 5 in Delhi-NCR.
Furthermore, a ban on the plying of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers will be imposed from today, and commercial vehicles will be prohibited from entering Delhi.
According to an official notice, actions under Stage I, II, and III will be implemented, reviewed, and monitored to ensure that the air quality does not deteriorate further.
According to the IMD, Delhi-NCR may experience mild rain at the beginning of February, which will not only help improve the region’s air quality but also cause a slight drop in temperature, quelling fears of an early summer.
(With IANS Inputs)
