Delhi weather update: Foggy start to Monday as city records AQI of 260

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 260. File Pic

Several Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai and Guwahati, woke up to dense fog on Monday morning, disrupting visibility in many areas. In the national capital, air quality ranged from poor to very poor, with multiple flights delayed at Indira Gandhi International Airport due to reduced visibility, reported news agency ANI.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 260, placing it in the poor category by 8 am. Visuals from Akshardham recorded an AQI of 294, also in the poor category. At ITO, AQI stood at 256, while Anand Vihar witnessed a sharper deterioration, with AQI touching 320, falling under the very poor category.

According to ANI, Chandni Chowk remained one of the worst-affected areas, recording an AQI of 337 under the 'very poor' category. The reduced visibility due to fog and smog disrupted flight operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, with several flights delayed during the early hours of the day.

Meanwhile, Mumbai also woke up to hazy conditions, with visuals from the Bandra Kurla Complex and Bandra Reclamation showing a visible layer of smog engulfing the city. The AQI in the area stood at 132, categorised as 'moderate' by CPCB.

In the Northeast, Assam's capital, Guwahati, experienced a cold and foggy morning as a cold wave gripped the city. The AQI was recorded at 72, falling in the 'satisfactory' category. The India Meteorological Department forecast a minimum temperature of 14 degrees Celsius for the city.

Notably, in Delhi, the Sub-Committee on the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) under the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas revoked Stage-III restrictions on Friday evening, citing a significant improvement in air quality due to favourable meteorological conditions.

However, authorities have urged citizens to strictly follow the guidelines under Stages I and II of the existing GRAP schedule to prevent further deterioration in air quality. The government also clarified that construction and demolition sites issued specific closure orders for violations or non-compliance with statutory norms will not be allowed to resume operations without explicit approval from the Commission.

The Sub-Committee said it will continue to closely monitor the air quality situation and review conditions periodically, taking further decisions based on forecasts provided by the IMD and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).

(With ANI inputs)