Delhi AQI Stays 'Poor', Smog and Fog Predicted Until January 25th

Responsible Us Bureau Jan 23, 2025 Add to Reading List

The air quality in Delhi remained 'poor' even after light rain on January 22.
It was overnight, on January 22, light rain in Delhi. Therefore, it may well be less busy in the city than over the past days when air gulps were taking place and the very gulps needed due to bad air. But still, it isn't out of the woods; the air is still labeled 'poor'. As of 5:30 a.m. on January 23, AQEWS reported AQI at 262.

Air quality has been 'poor' for the third consecutive day. The air quality index for Thursday 22 January is 260 as per CPCB bulletin for that day which stood at 4 p.m. on the above said date.

Weather Forecast/ Air Quality Forecasts:
IMD on Thursday forecasted light rain on January 23 and claimed that temperatures will be in the range of 12 degrees Celsius to 22 degrees Celsius. However, that was before which till January 25, Delhi and the National Capital Region would have to put up with smog and fog that is wreaking havoc with bad visibility and bad air quality.

The lowest temperature in the national capital declined by 1°C during last 24 hrs, AQEWS bulletin adds. The dense fog on January 22 hit operations at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, according to which this airport is strictly following "low visibility procedures." It had also issued advisories to all passengers to reach the airlines from where they must get details
Air ventilation index for the capital, the ability of the atmosphere to dispel pollution is not as good as is its enhancement to the air quality. On 23 January that was only 3000 m²/s comparatively much less than the benchmark set at 6000 m²/s. Also, an average wind speed in the capital has also been less than 10 kmph that further deters pollutant dispersal.

Day-to-Day Weather Forecast
23 Jan :

Wind speed : Low below 6 kmph in the forenoon hours and enhances to 8-10 kmph in afternoon hours and decreases further to less than 6 kmph in evening hours.
Condition: The evening night should be smokey one with shallow fog at night, during the hour of evening itself.
24th January

Wind speed: below 6 kmph morning, the wind increases at 12-14 kmph in the evening, and it decreases to less than 8 kmph in the evening.
Weather Condition: Slightly smoked and shallow misty conditions are prevailing over the even.
January 25:
Wind speed: It is very weak but is less than 6 kmph and decreases at noon fall time of 12-14 kmph, and winds are less than 8km/h at eve night
Conditions: Fog or smog would be a big possibility during night or night eve. Light rain would be there as a chance for the second half of the day Long term Air Quality Forecast
The AQEWS foretold the AQI in Delhi to extend into January 25 as 'poor'. In such a scenario, it would likely begin degrading from 26 January as for the next six days, measurements of AQI fall in the 'poor' to 'very poor' category.
Impact on Human Life End
The air quality remains unhealthy in Delhi, and more children, elderly, and people with respiratory problems get affected. It is recommended to stay indoors, but in case one has to go out, the person must carry masks so that the pollutants may not reach him.