Chandigarh, Delhi air quality improves; temperature likely to remain above normal
PTC News Desk: The air quality index (AQI) in Chandigarh and Delhi has improved dramatically as a result of the warmer weather earlier this month.
The air quality index (AQI) in Chandigarh, which had been above 200 (poor) in November, has improved dramatically as a result of warmer temperatures at the beginning of the month.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) daily AQI bulletin, the average air quality at Chandigarh's three monitoring stations was 114 on Wednesday at 4 p.m., the lowest since November. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures are expected to continue above normal until the weekend.
IMD officials attributed the improvement in AQI to the heat and the impact of a recent western disturbance that scattered pollutants.
Meanwhile, for the next three days, the maximum temperature is expected to remain between 25°C and 26°C, while the lowest temperature will remain between 11°C and 12°C.
There is a potential for shallow to moderate fog across the city on Thursday and Friday, particularly in the morning hours, but North Westerly winds will resume over the weekend. Temperatures are expected to dip starting next week. Rain, however, is unlikely.
On Thursday, Delhi woke up to 'moderate' air quality, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 161 at 8 a.m., providing relief to Delhiites after weeks of 'very poor' to 'severe' pollution. A thin layer of smog, however, blanketed the city when winter arrived, lowering the minimum temperature to 9 degrees Celsius on Thursday.
At 4 p.m. on Wednesday, the city's 24-hour average AQI was 178, an improvement from 268 on Tuesday.
- PTC NEWS
