Unfavourable weather, including a partly cloudy sky and low wind speed, has worsened air quality in Delhi
February has brought unreasonably high temperatures with February 17 becoming the second-hottest day of the season. But, rainfall, predicted later this week, could bring back the cold
According to the city's 24-hour average, the AQI in Gurugram was recorded in the 'poor' category at 228, while in Ghaziabad and Noida, it was in the 'moderate' category at 129 and 111, respectively
The fall in air quality is possibly because of the unfavourable weather conditions like partly cloudy sky and lower wind speed
According to the city's 24-hour average, the AQI in Gurugram was recorded in the 'poor' category at 214, while in Ghaziabad and Noida, it was in the 'moderate' category at 106 and 128, respectively
A fresh western disturbance is expected to influence the western Himalayan region from February 17, with light rain possible in Delhi on February 19 and 20
The 24-hour average AQI in Delhi stood at 131 on February 14, slightly better than 134 the day before - making it the best February air since 2022
Delhi saw its best air quality in four months on February 13 as strong winds helped improve the air quality from poor to moderate levels
The tussle between the Centre and the Delhi government might have ended with the change in guard, but that does not mean they would be proactive in resolving the air pollution crisis, the Supreme Court on Thursday said. A bench of Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan was hearing the issue of air pollution in Delhi in the M C Mehta case. Senior advocate Aparajita Singh, who is acting as amicus curiae, submitted she was relieved that Delhi and the Centre wouldn't be at loggerheads after the BJP was set to from government. She said half of the time was wasted in fighting and the issues remain unresolved. The bench then said in a lighter vein,"That's the practical aspect of it. They may not be fighting that does not mean they will be proactive." Additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati said she was optimistic that there would no confrontation. Bhati sought permission to ease GRAP-IV measures that are currently enforced in Delhi. The bench said it would consider the issue
After three days of 'poor' air quality, Delhi's AQI has now improved to the 'moderate' category. On Wednesday at 4 pm, the AQI in the national capital was recorded at 212
AQI levels deteriorated after being in the 'moderate' category until February 9, it was 265 at 7 am on February 12, according to the Central Pollution Control Board
Temperature fluctuations are likely to continue nationwide over the next few days
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the day's forecast indicates a minimum and maximum temperature of 16.76 degrees Celsius and 28.58 degrees Celsius
On Monday, the AQI was recorded at 258 at 8 am and dipped further to 271 at around 4 pm
The six-day forecast suggests that the AQI will fluctuate between 'poor' and 'moderate' in the coming days
The AQI in the neighbouring regions of Delhi has also improved significantly
Despite the improved air quality, Delhi continues to grapple with air pollution, making it India's 2nd most polluted city for the fourth consecutive month in January 2025
Minimum temperature also saw a sharp drop of over 3 degrees Celsius due to the northwesterly winds that reached upto 30 kmph in the afternoon
This is the first time in February that Delhi's AQI has improved to the 'moderate' range
Catch all the latest news updates from around the world here