Sources at the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) indicated that the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-III restrictions would remain active.Very poor air quality dogged Delhi for the third day in a row. The Air Quality Index showed 341 at 11am, then became 334 by 3pm due to reduced wind speeds in the afternoon. The average air quality index (AQI) was 345.
However, despite this deterioration, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) forecasts that the air quality index might move to the poor range in the coming days.
"The air quality is likely to be in the poor category on December 27. It is likely to be in the moderate category on December 28," IITM said. However, the AQI is likely to return to poor on December 29. According to the IITM's forecast, on Friday, the city may see northeasterly winds up to 6kmph during morning hours along with smog or moderate fog.
"The wind speed will increase thereafter, becoming less than 12kmph from a variable direction during the afternoon. It will decrease thereafter, becoming less than 4 kmph from the northeast direction during the evening and night. Smog/shallow fog is likely in the evening/night," the forecast said, adding that "cold day conditions at isolated places, a generally cloudy sky and light to moderate rain/thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds (speed 30-40 kmph)" are likely on Dec 27.
Sources at the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) indicated that the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-III restrictions would remain active. The restrictions include a ban on construction activity and a bar on cars running on non-compliant fuel, among others.
As per the directions of Supreme Court, CAQM may take a call on imposing stage-III and stage-IV GRAP again if the city's AQI touches 350 and 400.
On Thursday, the PM2.5 levels hovered between 160.9 to 149.9 micrograms per cubic metre, against 24-hourly standards of 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The PM10 levels hovered between 252.8 to 232 micrograms per cubic metre, against the national standard of 100 units and 45 units as per WHO standards.
