The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) enforced stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi NCR on Wednesday as the air quality index (AQI) deteriorated to 396 at 6 pm, slipping to very poor category.
GRAP 4 measures include a complete suspension of construction activities, a ban on non-essential diesel truck entries and the mandatory implementation of hybrid learning for schools, excluding classes 10 and 12. Moreover, Delhi-registered BS-IV and older diesel-powered heavy goods vehicles, unless engaged in essential services, are now prohibited.
Dense fog and low temperatures have led to the declining air quality in NCR region, resulting in poor dispersion of pollutants.
Air Quality and Weather Forecast
According to Air quality Early Warning System, the air quality is likely to be in very poor category on January 16, in poor category on January 17 and again in very poor category between January 18 and 19. For the next six days, the air quality is likely to be in very poor to poor category.
Forecast for January 16: The surface wind is expected to be in the southeast direction with a wind speed of less than 6 kilometre per hour (kmph) till evening. It would decrease thereafter becoming less than 4 kmph from the northeast direction during the night. Smog is likely in the evening and generally cloudy sky.
Forecast for January 17: The wind speed is expected to be less than 4 kmph during morning, gradually increasing to 8-10 kmph during afternoon. It will decrease becoming less than 6 kmph during the night. Smog in most of the places and dense fog in few places is likely throughout the day.
Forecast for January 18: The wind speed is likely to be less than 6 kmph during morning hours, increasing slightly and again coming down. Smog is expected to be in most of the places and dense fog in few places during the day with mainly clear sky.
Forecast for January 19: The surface wind is forecasted to be in the northwest direction with a wind speed of less than 6 kmph during morning hours, 8-10 kmph during the afternoon and again less than 6 kmph. Smog in most of the places and dense fog in isolated places is likely in the morning. Smog or shallow fog is expected in the evening and partly cloudy sky.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued 'Orange' alert for Delhi due to "dense to very dense" fog at many places on Wednesday.
