The Centre's Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reimposed GRAP 3 restrictions in the Delhi-National Capital Region on January 29 after observing a dip in air quality levels.
“In an effort to prevent further deterioration of the air quality in pursuance of the Hon'ble Supreme Court's directives, the sub-committee on GRAP hereby decide to invoke ALL actions under stage-Ill ('severe' Air Quality of Delhif of extant schedule of GRAP, with immediate effect in right earnest by all the agencies concerned in Delhi-NCR, in addition to the Stage-l and II actions already in force,” the air quality panel stated.
On January 17, the AQM had lifted GRAP-3 restrictions in Delhi-NCR as the city’s air quality showed further improvement.
Forecast for Next 8 Days
According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), there has been rise in minimum temperatures upto 2-3 degrees Celsius over Delhi/NCR during past 24 hours. Meanwhile, the AQI was recorded at 381 at 8.30 a.m. on January 30.
Citing a ventilation index less than 6,000 metre square per second (m2/s) and an average wind speed of less than 10 kilometre per hour (kmph) in the national capital, AQEWS has described the conditions as "unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants".
Delhi's ventilation index, which measures the atmosphere's potential to disperse air, is predicted to be 3000 m2/s today, 1000 m2/s tomorrow and 2500 m2/s the day after.
January 30: Wind speed is expected to less than 6 kmph during the morning. Thereafter, it is expected to climb to 8-10 kmph during the afternoon, and dipping to less than 4 kmph the evening and night. The AQEWS has also forecast smog and shallow fog conditions during the evening and night.
January 31: Wind speed is expected to less than 4 kmph during the morning. Thereafter, it is expected to climb to 8-10 kmph during the afternoon, and dipping to less than 4 kmph the evening and night. The AQEWS has also forecast smog and mist conditions during the evening and night.
February 1: Wind speed is likely to be less than less than 4 kmph during the morning, improving slightly to 6-8 kmph during the afternoon hours, and dipping to less than 4 kmph during the evening and night. Smog and fog conditions are predicted during the evening and night. Possibility of very light rain is expected towards evening and night. The AQEWS has also predicted smog and mist conditions during the evening and night.
AQEWS, a real-time monitoring system tracking air quality and visibility levels, also said that Delhi's air quality is projected to be "very poor" until February 1. Thereafter, from February 2 onwards, Delhi's AQI is expected to be in the “poor” to “very poor” category for the next six days.
