New Delhi: After a brief spell of improvement, air pollution levels in the national capital worsened again on Sunday, with the Air Quality Index inching close to 300 and raising fresh concerns for residents. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed the AQI at 298 around 8 am, signalling deteriorating conditions compared with the previous day’s average.
Weather conditions played a role in the reversal. The India Meteorological Department had cautioned of foggy conditions in the early hours, issuing a yellow alert for the region. While Delhi itself did not see a major drop in visibility, several parts of north India experienced dense fog, affecting travel schedules.
The ripple effect was felt at Indira Gandhi International Airport, where flight tracking platforms reported widespread delays. By Sunday morning, nearly 170 departures and arrivals were running behind schedule. Airport officials clarified that the hold-ups were largely due to weather-related disruptions at other airports, as flight operations depend on conditions at both origin and destination points.
On Friday, brisk surface winds had temporarily dispersed pollutants, allowing authorities to roll back Stage III measures under the Graded Response Action Plan across the NCR. That respite proved short-lived, as calmer conditions on Saturday led to a renewed build-up of pollutants.
Forecasts do not offer immediate relief. The Air Quality Early Warning System has predicted that pollution levels are likely to remain in the “very poor” bracket over the next several days, potentially extending through midweek.
Alongside rising pollution, temperatures dipped further. The IMD recorded the minimum temperature on Sunday at 7.4 degrees Celsius, slightly below the seasonal average, while daytime temperatures are expected to hover between 17 and 19 degrees Celsius.
Air quality categories range from “moderate” to “severe,” with stricter pollution-control measures triggered if levels breach critical thresholds. With forecasts pointing to further deterioration, authorities may again be forced to consider tighter curbs if conditions worsen in the days ahead.
