As predicted by Skymet Weather, Delhi pollution has been on the rising spree once again. As a result, PM 2.5 is now in the moderate to poor category, while PM 10 in poor to very poor category in most of the places. Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi-NCR on Tuesday settled at 269, which is very unhealthy.
According to experts, air quality is now going to deteriorate further today and many places may come under hazardous category.
Winds have already become calm and are likely to remain so or very light further in the next two days. With this, pollution would be again on its peak in Delhi on November 21 and 22, wherein parts may come under the hazardous category.
As per weathermen, due to the passage of Western Disturbance over Jammu and Kashmir, there has been change in the winds direction as well as slow down in its pace. The system is expected to make clearance only around November 23, paving way for northwesterly winds. However, relief would only be felt by November 24, when northwesterly winds would pick up pace.
These moderate winds would then sweep away the pollutants from the atmosphere, as seen in the last few days.
In fact, another Western Disturbance is likely to make an appearance over Western Himalayas on November 25, which would be active in nature. The system would be instrumental in bring rains over the northwestern plains of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi-NCR between November 26-28.
However, lot depends of the intensity of the rain during that time. If rains are fairly widespread, we would see very much improvement in the pollution levels as pollutants would be washed out. But, if rains are patchy and light, it would only increase the humidity, leading to steep rise in the pollution levels in Delhi-NCR. The national capital region might come under the ambit of hazardous category, with thick layer of smog engulfing the city again. Thus, it is a wait and watch situation as of now.
Image Credits – The Indian Express
Any information taken from here should be credited to Skymet Weather