People living in the capital Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) currently do not see any hope of getting relief from the heat, scorching sun and sticky humidity. According to the weekly weather forecast issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), there is no chance of rain in Delhi till October 12. After the official withdrawal of monsoon, the sky will remain completely clear and partly cloudy, due to which the heat of the sun during the day will make people sweat. Like Lucknow, Jaipur and Chandigarh, the temperatures in the areas of Delhi-NCR—Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad—are also being recorded above normal in the month of October due to the active north-westerly dry winds.
According to the data of the Regional Weather Forecasting Center (RWFC Delhi) of the Meteorological Department, the maximum day temperature is expected to remain 2 to 3 degrees Celsius above normal throughout this week:
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Maximum Temperature (Day Temperature): Between October 8 and October 12, the day temperature will fluctuate between 33°C to 36°C. There will be a feeling of prickly heat due to the strong sunlight from 12 noon to 4 pm.
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Minimum Temperature (Night Temperature): Night time temperatures can be recorded between 20°C to 24°C. You will feel slight coolness in the late night and early morning, but as the day progresses, the sun’s rays will again create a warm atmosphere.
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No rain alert: Meteorologists have confirmed that no active Western Disturbance is affecting the plains in the coming 5 to 6 days, due to which the chances of rain in Delhi are almost zero.
Along with the heat, the problem of breathing for the people of Delhi has also gradually started raising its head. According to the air quality bulletin of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s overall air quality index (AQI) is currently being recorded in the ‘moderate’ category:
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Condition of major monitoring stations: AQI has been recorded at 111 in Anand Vihar of the capital, 116 in Ashok Vihar, 118 in Aya Nagar, 155 in Chandni Chowk, 141 at IGI Airport and 145 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. At the same time, in some areas like Narela and IIT Delhi, AQI has reached 197 to 199, which is on the verge of ‘poor’ category.
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Slow wind speed becomes a problem: Due to lack of rain and slow wind speed (Calm to 4-8 km/hour), the pollutant particles emitted from vehicle smoke, construction dust and burning of garbage are getting trapped in the lower levels of the atmosphere at the local level.
In the second fortnight of October, as the incidents of stubble burning after paddy harvesting will gain momentum in Punjab, Haryana and Western Uttar Pradesh, the possibility of deepening of ‘poisonous smog’ in the air of Delhi will increase. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is keeping a close eye on the situation. If the AQI crosses 200 and enters the ‘Poor’ or ‘Very Poor’ category, the first phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) can be immediately implemented in Delhi-NCR, under which strict restrictions will be imposed on keeping construction material in the open, blowing dust on roads and uncontrolled use of diesel generators.
Amidst this double change in weather (extreme heat during the day and slight coolness at night), health experts have advised citizens to remain alert:
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Avoid dehydration: While going out in the afternoon, consume sufficient amount of water, ORS or lemonade so that the body does not lose water due to sweating.
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Use of mask: Elderly people and respiratory patients going for morning walks are advised to wear masks to avoid the effects of dust and rising PM 2.5.
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AC and fan temperature: Avoid going into a very cold room (low temperature AC) suddenly after the scorching heat during the day, because sudden change in temperature causes seasonal viral, cough-cold and sore throat problems to spread rapidly.