Delhi NCR records 16°C low temperature as air quality remains poor
New Delhi: As the festive season approaches, the Delhi-NCR region is witnessing an early winter chill coupled with a worrying rise in pollution levels. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a further temperature drop this week, with Thursday night likely to be the coldest so far at 16°C, even as the Air Quality Index (AQI) continues to hover in the ‘poor’ category for the third consecutive day.
According to weather officials, light fog is expected to blanket the national capital from October 16 to October 21, reducing visibility during early mornings. Gusty north-westerly winds reaching 10 km/hr are predicted through the day, followed by calmer easterly breezes at night conditions that trap pollutants close to the surface, sustaining the smog layer over the region.Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows that Delhi’s AQI stood at 210 early Thursday, while several neighbourhoods briefly breached the 300 mark, slipping into the ‘very poor’ category. The situation in Noida and Greater Noida has been no different, with AQI levels ranging between 220 and 263, reflecting worsening air quality and increased concentration of PM2.5 and PM10 particles.
Environmental experts have linked the trend to a combination of post-harvest stubble burning, low wind speeds, and the seasonal shift that prevents pollutant dispersion. “The inversion layer during early winter traps pollutants closer to the ground, reducing air circulation,” said an official from the air quality monitoring unit.In response to the deteriorating conditions, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has activated Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the Delhi-NCR region. Under this stage, local authorities have intensified mechanical road sweeping, restricted open burning, and initiated large-scale treated water sprinkling operations to suppress dust on major roadways.
Officials confirmed that 20 water tankers and 12 mechanical sweepers are currently deployed across several sectors to limit dust accumulation.This intervention marks the first phase of the seasonal anti-pollution protocol, which escalates through four stages depending on air quality levels. The objective, officials said, is to avert a repeat of last year’s hazardous smog episodes that pushed the capital into an emergency zone.With the mercury dipping and Diwali festivities nearing, concerns over deteriorating air quality remain high. Experts continue to advocate for long-term solutions such as sustainable mobility, cleaner fuels, and stricter industrial emission controls to make Delhi’s air breathable again.For now, the city braces for chilly mornings and smog-laden skies, a reminder that Delhi’s twin challenges of pollution and climate change demand urgent, collective action.
