Delhi woke up to a hazy morning on Thursday, November 2, 2023, as a thin layer of smog blanketed the city. The Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded a concerning level of 278, classifying the air quality as ‘poor.’ The Air Quality Early Warning System predicts that the situation will worsen, with pollution levels likely slipping into the ‘very poor’ category between November 6 and 8.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) confirmed that the national capital’s AQI stood at 278 this morning. Experts caution that low wind speeds and increased pollutant accumulation could lead to further deterioration of air quality by evening.
According to the Early Warning System, wind speeds may gradually increase up to 15 kmph from the northwest direction during the afternoon. However, these speeds are forecasted to drop below 10 kmph by evening and night. The sky will mostly remain clear, though mist or haze is likely to persist.
The CPCB classification outlines the categories for AQI readings: between 0 and 50 is considered “good,” 51 to 100 “satisfactory,” 101 to 200 “moderate,” 201 to 300 “poor,” 301 to 400 “very poor,” and 401 to 500 “severe.”
This morning, Delhi’s minimum temperature settled at 12.7 degrees Celsius, which is 2.6 degrees below the seasonal average. The humidity recorded was 75 percent at 8:30 am. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 29 degrees Celsius, with the weather department forecasting mist and haze throughout the day.
Authorities urge residents to limit outdoor activities, especially during early mornings and late evenings, as pollution levels remain concerning across the city.
