Another thick layer of smog engulfed many parts of Delhi and NCR during the morning hours of November 5th. The surface visibility dropped to 400 meters between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. The Air quality index of many parts of Delhi reached in hazardous category. AQI of Wazirpur reached 626 and ITI Jahangirpuri was 611. Many other areas of Delhi and NCR were between 500 and 600. We can call it an emergency.
The wind speed is almost calm during the night. The speed of wind during afternoon hours is also just 3 to 5 kmph. Due to the low-temperature air near the earth's surface and due to high humidity, the pollutants mix with the water vapours resulting in the formation of mist and haze, forming a layer of smog. Due to the calm and light winds, the pollutants are not able to disperse and remain suspended near the earth's surface.
We do not expect wind speed to increase for at least the next 5 days therefore, the air pollution of Delhi and NCR will remain in the severe to hazardous category. The festival of Diwali is also on November 12. The increased wind speed during that time may disperse the pollutants and air pollution may decrease to some extent.
