Dense Fog Disrupts Delhi: Traffic and AQI Update.

On Friday morning, dense fog continued to create challenges in Delhi, severely affecting visibility and public life. The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport recorded zero visibility for an extended period of four and a half hours, from 3:00 AM to 7:30 AM. Similarly, visibility at Safdarjung remained at a mere 200 meters for six hours, significantly impacting transportation and daily activities.
Rail, Road, and Air Traffic Affected by Fog
The dense fog disrupted rail, road, and air traffic, causing delays and cancellations. Commuters faced difficulties as the thick fog enveloped the city, including residential colonies. The adverse weather highlighted the challenges posed by seasonal fog conditions in the capital.
Temperature and Weather Conditions in Delhi
Despite the foggy start, Delhi experienced light sunshine during the day. The maximum temperature was recorded at 18.0°C, which is 1.6 degrees below the seasonal average, while the minimum temperature was 8.8°C, slightly above normal by 1.2 degrees. Humidity levels in the air stood at 76%. Palam and Pusa recorded the lowest maximum temperature at 15.2°C, while Palam and Ridge experienced the lowest minimum temperature at 8.4°C.
Forecast: Fog and Rain Expected
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted continued foggy conditions for Saturday morning, with dense to very dense fog likely in several areas. A yellow alert for fog has been issued. The sky is expected to remain clear during the day, but light rain and a drop in temperatures are forecast for January 22 and 23, bringing chilling cold to the region.
Air Quality Shows Improvement
Delhi’s air quality showed signs of improvement on Friday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded a significant drop to 289, well below the Supreme Court-mandated threshold of 350 for stricter restrictions. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) responded by lifting the nine-point restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 3 for Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).
Relaxation of GRAP Restrictions
While GRAP Stage 4 restrictions were lifted on Thursday, Stage 3 restrictions were withdrawn on Friday. However, measures under Stages 1 and 2 remain in effect. This relaxation allows the use of BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel vehicles in Delhi and NCR districts, including Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Buddha Nagar.
Supreme Court Guidelines on AQI
The Supreme Court mandates that GRAP Stages 3 and 4 restrictions are necessary when the AQI ranges between 350 and 400. With the AQI now below 350, these restrictions have been deemed unnecessary. Authorities expect further improvement in air quality in the coming days, thanks to favorable weather conditions.
The dense fog in Delhi continues to pose challenges, but the gradual improvement in air quality brings some relief. With the forecast of rain and chilling cold, residents are advised to prepare for further weather fluctuations. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure minimal disruption to public life while maintaining necessary restrictions to manage air quality effectively.
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