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New Delhi, Oct 30 (IANS) Cold and hazy mornings are expected in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) in early November, even as pollution levels continue to rise.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature will start falling from November 1, while the maximum temperature will remain around 30 to 31 degrees Celsius.
The Meteorological Department has ruled out any possibility of rain in the coming days. The IMD said that the sky will be clear from October 30 to November 4, but there is a possibility of light fog and mist during the morning and evening.
On Thursday, the maximum temperature of the capital is expected to be 30 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature is expected to be 18 degrees, which may fall to 17 degrees by November 1. Meteorologists predict that temperatures will continue to drop gradually, which is an early sign of winter. However, this drop in temperatures is likely to increase air pollution levels in the region.
Meteorologists say cold and dry air traps pollutants near the surface, causing rapid deterioration in air quality. With no rain to wash away pollutants, the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR is expected to remain in the “poor” to “very poor” category in the coming days.
In response to the worsening conditions, the Commission on Air Quality Management (CAQM) and other environmental agencies are expected to soon implement the next phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Strict measures may include restrictions on construction and demolition activities, ban on entry of trucks, intensive road cleaning and regular water sprinkling to control dust.
Humidity levels are expected to fluctuate between 60 to 85 percent, increasing the chances of fog and mist formation, especially during morning and evening hours. Health experts have advised residents to limit outdoor exposure, especially for children and the elderly, and wear masks when going out.
If the dry weather continues, the air quality may deteriorate further in the first week of November, potentially causing respiratory problems and eye irritation among residents.
The effect of drop in temperature is being felt outside Delhi-NCR also. From Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to Madhya Pradesh, people have switched off fans and air conditioners, and many are now sleeping under light blankets.
Winter is slowly knocking across North India. While Delhi and Uttarakhand are experiencing mild cold, the cold has increased in some parts of Uttar Pradesh due to rain and strong winds. Meteorologists predict temperatures will drop further across the region in the first week of November, officially signaling the arrival of winter.
–IANS
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