Delhi Air Quality Improves Slightly, Slips to ‘Very Poor’; IMD Predicts Rain in 3 Days
Delhi’s air quality showed marginal improvement on Tuesday morning, moving into the ‘very poor’ category after remaining at ‘severe’ levels for two consecutive days. However, pollution continues to pose a serious concern as the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 395 at 8:00 am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Out of 38 air-quality monitoring stations in the national capital, 23 stations still recorded ‘severe’ AQI levels. NSIT Dwarka reported the best air quality in the city, with an AQI reading of 300 on January 20.
Delhi Weather Forecast: Rain Likely to Bring Relief
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi is expected to witness partly cloudy skies with shallow to moderate fog during morning hours. The maximum temperature is likely to range between 23°C and 25°C, while the minimum temperature may stay between 7°C and 9°C.
IMD noted that minimum temperatures will remain near normal, whereas maximum temperatures could be 1.6°C to 3°C above normal over the next few days.
The weather agency also forecast a wet spell over northwest India due to the arrival of three Western Disturbances in quick succession. As per IMD’s latest update, isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall is likely between January 22 and 25, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds (30–40 kmph) during January 22–24.
Importantly, rain is likely in Delhi on January 23, which could provide much-needed relief from pollution levels.
Smog Persists Across Delhi-NCR
Despite the slight improvement in AQI, dense smog continued to blanket parts of Delhi-NCR, with low visibility reported in areas such as ITO and Pandav Nagar near the Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple.
IMD observed a marked rise in temperatures on Monday and clarified that no cold wave alert has been issued for Delhi or surrounding regions. At Safdarjung, Delhi’s primary weather station, the minimum temperature was recorded at 7.7°C.
The weather office expects no significant change in minimum temperatures across northwest India over the next two days, but forecasts a gradual rise of 2–4°C in maximum temperatures.
Fog Alert in Neighbouring States
For Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, IMD has warned of dense to very dense fog conditions for the next one to two days. A yellow and orange nowcast alert for dense fog has been issued and will remain valid until 10:46 am today.
GRAP Stage-IV Measures in Place
Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has re-implemented Stage-IV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi and the NCR, following a sharp deterioration in air quality over the weekend.
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