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New Delhi: People are finding it difficult to navigate as a thick layer of smog envelops parts of the Delhi-NCR region. Wind speeds have increased by 2 kilometres per hour. While winds were blowing at 8 kmph on Saturday, they picked up over the past 24 hours, reaching 10 kmph.
As of Sunday, wind speeds are expected to remain around 10 kmph. As wind speeds decreased earlier, pollution levels worsened in the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a weather forecast until December 19, which does not predict a cold wave. Temperatures are expected to dip slightly after December 15.
There has been no significant drop in temperature across Delhi-NCR so far. Cold conditions are expected to persist mainly at night until December 19, with no sharp fall in temperatures. The maximum temperature is likely to remain around 23 degrees Celsius, while the minimum is expected to hover between 9 and 10 degrees Celsius. This forecast applies to Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad, covering the entire Delhi-NCR region.
Meanwhile, a western disturbance is expected to intensify around December 18, though the Meteorological Department has not yet issued clear information regarding its impact on Delhi-NCR. However, even as December nears its end, severe cold conditions have yet to be observed in the region.
According to Dr Mahesh Palawat, Senior Meteorologist at Skymet Weather, a new western disturbance has reached the mountainous regions, bringing rain and light snowfall. Another western disturbance is expected to arrive on December 18.
Additionally, medium-level cloud cover has been observed across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and northwestern Uttar Pradesh. However, there is no likelihood of rainfall in these areas at present. Due to the cloud cover, minimum temperatures may rise slightly, but temperatures are expected to begin falling from December 15. After December 22, severe cold conditions may be felt in several parts of the country.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday imposed GRAP Stage IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR hours after strict curbs were imposed under GRAP III. The tightening of norms by the pollution agency comes as the air quality in the national capital breached 400-mark.
Considering the measures, state government schools of Delhi and NCR may decide to discontinue physical classes even for higher standards and conduct classes in an online mode. Governments were advised to take a decision on discontinuing physical classes or ‘hybrid mode' in schools for children up to Class V and conducting classes in an online mode under GRAP Stage III already.
In simpler terms, GRAP IV mandates hybrid mode for Delhi and key NCR cities for Classes up to V and advises the same for Classes up to XII. The final call is on state governments.
