Noida's Air Quality Takes a Sharp Turn for the Worse
Residents of Noida woke up to deteriorating air conditions on Tuesday. The city's air quality index plummeted back into the 'very poor' category after spending just two days in the slightly better 'poor' zone. This sudden reversal marks a significant setback for the region's ongoing battle against pollution.
AQI Numbers Tell a Concerning Story
Noida recorded an AQI of 367 on Tuesday. This represents a considerable jump from Monday's reading of 274. The neighboring area of Greater Noida fared even worse, with its AQI soaring to 384 from 258 the previous day.
Ghaziabad mirrored this troubling trend. Its air quality deteriorated to an AQI of 358, up from 287 on Monday. Delhi too joined the list of cities experiencing worsening conditions. The national capital's AQI climbed to 360, placing it firmly in the 'very poor' range. It had registered 297 in the 'poor' category just a day earlier.
Monitoring Stations Paint a Grim Picture
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board portal reveals the extent of the problem across Noida. All four of the city's air monitoring stations recorded AQI levels in the 'very poor' category.
Sector 1 reported the worst conditions with an AQI of 381. Sector 116 followed closely at 378, while Sector 125 logged 366. Sector 62 recorded the 'best' among them, though still concerning at 344.
The situation in Greater Noida showed even more extreme readings. Knowledge Park V entered the 'severe' category with an alarming AQI of 413. Knowledge Park III remained in the 'very poor' range at 356.
In Ghaziabad, both Indirapuram (AQI 385) and Sanjay Nagar (AQI 333) recorded 'very poor' air quality. Data from the Loni and Vasundhara stations was unavailable on Tuesday, leaving the full picture incomplete.
Weather Conditions Contribute to the Problem
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology provided insight into the meteorological factors at play. Predominant surface winds blew from the northwest during the afternoon hours. Their speeds remained below 10 kilometers per hour. By evening, these winds slowed further to less than 8 kilometers per hour. Such calm conditions allow pollutants to accumulate rather than disperse.
No Immediate Relief in Sight
According to the Centre's Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, the air quality is likely to remain in the 'very poor' category until at least January 16. The forecast suggests conditions may persist even beyond that date, offering little hope for quick improvement.
Looking ahead to Wednesday, Noida is expected to experience mainly clear skies. However, cold wave conditions are predicted at a few places. Residents should anticipate shallow to moderate fog during the morning hours.
Wind patterns are forecast to shift slightly. Predominant surface winds will likely come from the west. Their speeds are expected to remain below 10 kilometers per hour in the morning. A slight increase to around 12 kilometers per hour may occur in the afternoon. Speeds are then projected to drop back to approximately 10 kilometers per hour during the evening and night.
This combination of factors suggests the region's air quality struggle is far from over. Residents must continue taking necessary precautions to protect their health.
