Gurgaon Experiences Notable Temperature Increase Over 24 Hours
The city of Gurgaon witnessed a significant rise in night temperatures during the past day, with the minimum temperature climbing by more than two degrees. On Saturday, the mercury settled at 11.6°C, a noticeable increase from Friday's reading of 9.3°C.
Comfortable Conditions Amidst Gusty Winds
Weather conditions remained pleasant for residents, largely due to gusty surface winds reaching speeds of up to 20 kilometers per hour. These winds played a crucial role in preventing a sharp escalation in daytime temperatures. The maximum temperature saw a marginal uptick, rising to 24.1°C from the previous day's 23.3°C.
Across Haryana, the average minimum temperature increased by approximately 1.5 degrees Celsius over the same 24-hour period. Mahendragarh recorded the state's lowest minimum temperature at 7.5°C.
India Meteorological Department's Weather Outlook
According to officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), dry weather patterns are expected to persist throughout the coming week. The existing western disturbance has now moved over north Pakistan, while a fresh disturbance is anticipated to affect the western Himalayan region starting Sunday night.
This new system is likely to bring isolated to scattered rainfall and snowfall to the Western Himalayas between February 9 and 11. However, its influence is primarily confined to the upper Himalayan reaches, with minimal impact projected for the plains.
Detailed Forecast for Gurgaon
For Gurgaon specifically, the IMD predicts largely clear skies over the next seven days, with the exception of Monday and Tuesday when partly cloudy conditions may prevail. An IMD official stated, "There will be no major change in minimum temperatures over the next 2 days, followed by a gradual rise of 2-4°C. Strong surface winds are also likely at isolated places during the next 3 days."
On Sunday, the city is expected to experience minimum and maximum temperatures around 11°C and 22°C respectively.
Air Quality Concerns and Regulatory Actions
Gurgaon's air quality index (AQI) registered at 262 on Saturday, placing it in the "poor" category. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reported that flying squads detected 336 violations across the National Capital Region between January 20 and February 4.
These violations included 34 from the construction and demolition sector, 229 from the industrial sector, and five related to diesel generator sets. In response, regulatory actions have been proposed or implemented:
- Closure proposals for 21 industrial units
- Sealing proposals for 53 diesel generator sets
- Show cause notices issued to 2 units
- 63 reports currently under examination
The CAQM further disclosed that flying squads have inspected a total of 25,975 units, projects, and entities to date. Based on these inspections, 1,661 closure directions have been issued for non-compliance. Of these, 1,278 resumption orders have been granted after verification of compliance by the concerned units.
Additionally, 123 cases have been transferred to respective State Pollution Control Boards or the Delhi Pollution Control Committee for final decisions, while resumption orders for the remaining 260 entities remain under examination.
