Delhi woke up to a smoggy Thursday morning with the temperature dropping to 11.2 degrees Celsius, marking the season's lowest temperature so far.
Safdarjung, the main weather observatory, recorded a minimum temperature of 16.1 degrees Celsius. The drop in temperatures is linked to a western disturbance that led to snowfall in the Himalayan region.
Other areas recorded varying minimum temperatures: Ridge at 11.2 degrees Celsius, Ayanagar at 14.4 degrees Celsius, Lodhi Road at 15 degrees Celsius, and Palam at 16.8 degrees Celsius.
On Monday, Kashmir experienced the season's first snowfall. The higher reaches of the region saw a light snowfall, while the plains witnessed heavy rain, officials told news agency ANI. The snowfall and rain led to a sharp drop in temperatures, marking the onset of winter.
Meanwhile, the average 24-hour air quality index for Delhi has slightly improved. At 9 am, it stands at 426, down from 432 at 6 am. However, it remains in the "Severe" category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 473, followed closely by Patparganj at 472, Ashok Vihar at 471, and Jahangirpuri at 470.
Long-term exposure to "very poor" air quality can lead to respiratory issues, while severe AQI levels can affect even healthy individuals and pose serious risks for those with existing health conditions.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) stated that stronger winds are expected to reduce pollutant concentrations, with the AQI likely to shift back to the "very poor" category starting Thursday.
"After a comprehensive review, the sub-committee decided to closely monitor the situation before implementing Stage-III of GRAP and will reassess the status on Thursday," the CAQM tweeted.
