Breathe easy Delhi, as air quality may improve slightly over next few days
According to the latest assessment by SAFAR, the air quality in Delhi is currently in the higher end of the poor categoryThe situation may begin to worsen during the fourth week of October
New Delhi: Residents of the National Capital Region (NCR) can breathe a sigh of relief as the air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) is likely to improve slightly over the next few days due to changing weather conditions.
According to the latest assessment by SAFAR- System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research, the air quality in Delhi is currently in the higher end of the poor category, after the levels touched very poor on Monday night, indicating the peak impact of stubble fire to a maximum of 8% before midnight.
However, on Tuesday, the Particulate Matter (PM2.5) was recorded in the satisfactory levels and PM10 in the moderate category, mostly because stubble burning in Haryana, Punjab and nearby border regions is still under moderate levels.
According to SAFAR, “there is going to be significant change in circulation pattern and direction at transport height is going to be south-easterly", because of which the impact of biomass is going to be negligible over the next few days.
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also forecast a fresh western disturbance is likely to impact the Western Himalayan region from 17 October, which could bring rainfall over the hilly regions in the upper northern states on 18 October. There is likelihood of cloudy skies over Delhi on October 18, as per IMD.
While the probability of rainfall over Delhi region is low, the resultant cyclonic circulation over northwest Uttar Pradesh and neighbourhood could lead to a slight improvement in the Capital's air quality to middle-end of poor category for next two days.
“The impact of western disturbance would mostly be felt in the form of light rain and some thunderstorm activity over Jammu and Kashmir and upper hilly regions, parts of Punjab and few parts of Haryana. But, it could improve the wind-speed, which would help movement of pollutants in air," said Kuldeep Shrivastava, director, Regional Weather Forecasting Centre, New Delhi.
The situation may begin to worsen during the fourth week of October, when stubble burning picks up in the neighboring states and decreasing day temperatures favour the accumulation of pollutants in the air.
“It will be slightly warmer for at least two days after which the temperatures could begin to decrease," said Shrivastava. On Monday, the maximum average temperature was recorded at 33.9 degree Celsius in Delhi and minimum at 18.2 degree Celsius.
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