Delhi Sees Air Quality Improvement; Fog Disrupts Train Services

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s air quality improved markedly on Friday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) dropping to 294.

Despite the better air quality, dense fog continued to affect the region, causing delays in train services.

Reports indicated that 27 trains originating from various Delhi stations were running late due to low visibility caused by the persistent fog.

Along with improved air quality, Delhi witnessed a temperature rise on Thursday. Overcast skies and light rainfall pushed the minimum temperature up from 6°C to 10.3°C, three degrees above the normal range.

The maximum temperature also increased slightly, reaching 19.6°C from the previous day’s 18.1°C.

The improvement in air quality followed the revocation of Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Thursday.

A western disturbance brought light rain and strong surface winds between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, which helped disperse pollutants and ease pollution levels in the capital.

Delhi’s AQI, which was at 386 (very poor) at 4 PM on Wednesday, dropped to 302 by the same time on Thursday and further to 288 (poor) by 8 PM.

Delhi recorded 3.9 mm of rainfall at the Safdarjung weather station, considered representative of the city’s weather, in the 24 hours up to 8:30 AM on Thursday.

Palam recorded the highest rainfall at 10.1 mm, followed by 9.7 mm at the Ridge station.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast another western disturbance starting 18 January, which will likely bring light rain to northwest India by 21 January.

Meanwhile, an orange alert has been issued for dense to very dense fog on Friday and Saturday, which could worsen travel disruptions.

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