Delhi wakes up to light rain amid 'poor' air quality; IMD predicts more showers

Delhi woke up to airy rainfall amid 'poor' aerial prime connected Thursday greeting with an wide Air Quality Index (AQI) of 262 recorded astatine 6 a.m., according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted much airy rainfall passim the day, with maximum and minimum temperatures expected to hover astir 22 degrees Celcius and 12 degrees Celcius, respectively.

Additionally, the foggy conditions caused by debased temperatures person further compounded the situation, disrupting visibility successful the aboriginal greeting hours. Several flights astatine the Indira Gandhi International Airport were delayed owed to the dense fog blanketing the city.

Despite the precipitation, the AQI levels crossed assorted parts of Delhi stay concerning. Key areas recorded the pursuing AQI readings: Anand Vihar (320), Jahangirpuri (317), Vivek Vihar (305), Wazirpur (289), Okhla Phase-2 (269), Rohini (298), Ashok Vihar (291), Patparganj (287), Pusa (268), ITO (263), Najafgarh (234), R K Puram (249), and Shadipur (203).

Anand Vihar and Jahangirpuri topped the charts with 'very poor' aerial quality, portion astir different regions stayed successful the higher scope of the 'poor' category.

The rainfall offered a little respite from the city's pollution, arsenic experts noted that airy showers could assistance settee particulate particles and marginally amended aerial prime but temporarily.

While the IMD has assured that the airy rainfall whitethorn supply impermanent alleviation from contamination and somewhat amended aerial quality, they besides highlighted that the betterment mightiness not past agelong without sustained precipitation oregon stronger winds to disperse pollutants.

Residents are advised to instrumentality indispensable precautions, particularly those with respiratory oregon cardiovascular conditions, arsenic the existent AQI levels stay harmful to susceptible groups.

Earlier connected Friday the Centre's aerial prime sheet revoked restrictions nether Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) successful Delhi and neighbouring areas arsenic aerial prime improved successful the city.
The determination comes a time aft the Commission for Air Quality Management rolled backmost GRAP 4 pursuing a dip successful aerial contamination levels successful Delhi-NCR.

The CAQM said successful a connection that its sub-committee connected GRAP conducted its gathering connected Friday and reviewed the aerial prime script successful the portion arsenic good arsenic the IMD/IITM forecasts.