Delhi woke up to a rather 'bad air' day today as well. The overall AQI of Delhi and NCR as of 8 o'clock in the morning is at 359. The air in many areas is in ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ category. One or two places are witnessing pollution in the ‘severe’ category as well.
During the last 24 hours, wind speed remained very light over the region. For a few hours, easterly winds blew over Delhi and NCR leading to an increase in humidity levels.
Since today morning very light winds from Southwest direction are blowing over the region. Due to calm winds as well as increase in humidity levels, clubbed with low temperatures, shallow fog has formed over Delhi and NCR. All the factors combined with the lethal mix of smoke from stubble burning, local pollution and dust particles mixed with mist and haze are leading to an increase in pollution levels. A layer of smog has formed over Delhi NCR in the lower levels.
We expect it to persist for at least the next 24 hours. Thereafter, November 23 onward the prevailing Western Disturbance would have moved away and the wind speed will increase from Northwest direction. There may be a marginal decrease in pollution levels. However, we do not expect any major change.
Another Western Disturbance is about to approach Western Himalayas around November 25. There are chances of rain on November 25 and 26 over Delhi and NCR as well as many parts of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. These rains will certainly help in bringing down the pollution levels to some extent, although momentarily.
These successive Western Disturbances will on the other hand, keep humidity levels high over the region. Also, the winds will remain light.
Thus, pollution levels will continue to be in ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ category until November 28. Thereafter the Western Disturbance would have moved away and there will be a gap of a few days before the region is approached by another weather system. Winds will pick up pace and pollution might come down further.
Image Credit: India Today
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