Delhi Government Issues Strong Warning Amid Bad Weather and Poor Air Quality

Delhi is set to experience deteriorating weather conditions as the Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, announced on December 20, 2023, that a western disturbance is approaching the national capital. This warning comes as the air quality in Delhi has plunged to alarming levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) nearing 400, categorizing it as ‘very poor’.

Government’s Strict Measures Against Violations

In light of the worsening air quality, Sirsa emphasized that the ongoing Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) mandates strict adherence to environmental regulations. He expressed concern over reports of construction activities continuing in the city despite the adverse weather conditions. “I want to make it absolutely clear that anyone carrying out construction in this bad weather will face strict action against their buildings,” Sirsa stated. He also noted that concerned Junior Engineers and Executive Engineers will be held accountable for any violations.

The minister further announced that no polluting industrial units would be permitted to operate within the city limits, regardless of their legal status. Starting Sunday, the government plans to take action by sealing any such units found to be in violation of environmental standards. “We will not allow anyone to play with the health of Delhi’s people. I appeal to all to cooperate in making Delhi’s air clean and safe,” he added.

Current Air Quality and Weather Forecast

The warnings from the Delhi government coincide with alarming data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), which reported an average AQI of 398 over the past 24 hours. PM 2.5 remains the dominant pollutant in the region, contributing significantly to the poor air quality. Additionally, New Delhi is currently enveloped in dense fog, with temperatures dropping sharply; the maximum temperature recorded was 16.9 degrees Celsius, while the minimum dropped to 6.1 degrees Celsius.

The India Meteorological Department projects that the weather will remain challenging, with a partly cloudy sky expected on Sunday. Cold day conditions are likely in isolated areas, and dense to very dense fog is anticipated during the morning hours in several locations across the city.

As the situation develops, the Delhi government is urging residents to stay informed and take necessary precautions to protect their health against the deteriorating air quality and harsh weather conditions.