Air Quality Downgraded to 'Very Poor' as Cold Wave Returns to Delhi
12:07 02.01.2023 (Updated: 13:04 02.01.2023)
© AP Photo / Manish Swarup
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Every year an intense cold wave sweeps Delhi in December and January, causing foggy conditions and low visibility in the national capital.
The air quality in Delhi dropped into the "very poor" category on Monday morning as an intense cold wave returned after a brief lull on New Year.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board statistics, the air quality index (AQI) showed a reading of 307 at 7.00 am. The previous day, the average AQI in the metropolitan city was recorded at 259 (poor).
As per the rules of India's pollution monitoring agency, an AQI below 50 is regarded as good, while anything between 51 and 100 is considered satisfactory.
On the other hand, an AQI from 101 to 200 is categorized as moderate, between 201 and 300 poor, from 301 to 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 is labeled severe.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a bone-chilling cold wave alert for 8 northern states, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh.
In its latest bulletin, the weather agency said that frigid temperatures as well as the very dense fog will affect normal lives in these places for the next 5 days.
The IMD's announcement concerning freezing temperatures in northern India comes after most of these regions witnessed bright sunshine and a considerable rise in temperatures on the first day of 2023.
On new year's day, the minimum temperature registered in Delhi was 7.6 degrees Celsius, while the maximum was 21.1 degrees.
However, the minimum temperature plummeted to 5 degrees Celsius this morning. The maximum temperature also witnessed a slight drop, to 20 degrees on Monday.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board statistics, the air quality index (AQI) showed a reading of 307 at 7.00 am. The previous day, the average AQI in the metropolitan city was recorded at 259 (poor).
As per the rules of India's pollution monitoring agency, an AQI below 50 is regarded as good, while anything between 51 and 100 is considered satisfactory.
On the other hand, an AQI from 101 to 200 is categorized as moderate, between 201 and 300 poor, from 301 to 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 is labeled severe.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday issued a bone-chilling cold wave alert for 8 northern states, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh.
In its latest bulletin, the weather agency said that frigid temperatures as well as the very dense fog will affect normal lives in these places for the next 5 days.
The IMD's announcement concerning freezing temperatures in northern India comes after most of these regions witnessed bright sunshine and a considerable rise in temperatures on the first day of 2023.
On new year's day, the minimum temperature registered in Delhi was 7.6 degrees Celsius, while the maximum was 21.1 degrees.
However, the minimum temperature plummeted to 5 degrees Celsius this morning. The maximum temperature also witnessed a slight drop, to 20 degrees on Monday.
