Fog continues to delay trains; things likely to worsen by New Year’s Eve, say weathermen

The Environment Department of Delhi government has on Thursday claimed that the analysis of the data of different pollutants show that levels of PM10 and PM2.5 is showing a decreasing trend and there is improvement in the ambient air quality. The department was apprising the Environment Minister Imran Hussain about the status of existing ambient air quality during a review meeting.

On the occasion, the minister was informed that the air quality in Delhi specially during the winter is influenced by multiple factors such as meteorological parameters such as wind speed, wind direction, humidity and solar index. The minister enquired about the status of directions given to various departments on the levels of PM2.5 and PM10 around Anand Vihar and Punjabi Bagh area.

He had asked the DDA, NDMC, North MCD, South MCD, East MCD, PWD, Transport Department, Revenue Department, Delhi Traffic Police and Delhi Cantonment Board to intensify urgent actions for controlling pollution in Anand Vihar and Punjabi Bagh areas and in other parts of Delhi.

Meanwhile, it was a foggy Thursday morning here with the minimum temperature settling at 7.8 degrees Celsius, one notch above the season’s average, the weather office said. “The sky would remain partly cloudy in the day. Moderate or shallow fog is likely to occur in the morning on Friday. Fog will continue till December 31 and January 1 and might become more dense. From January 2 onwards, fog will reduce,” said an official of the India Meteorological Department on Thursday morning. According to the data provided by the railway authorities, as many as 49 trains were running late while 13 were rescheduled.

Weather analysts say that the difference between the maximum and minimum temperature will drop gradually by New Year’s Eve and fog would remain dense or moderate at different regions of Delhi, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh till January 2 or 3. “Due to the easterly winds from Bay of Bengal, which are humid and lead to a drop in the maximum temperature, fog is going to increase by New Year’s Eve and days would become comparatively colder,” said an analyst.

Due to western disturbance, the valley may get some snowfall while the national Capital and areas around it may face a little rainfall by January 6. “The western disturbance in Jammu and Kashmir will lead to snowfall, at the same time a cyclonic circulation over Haryana and Punjab may result in light rainfall. This will drop the temperature further,” he added.