Delhi Faces Double Whammy Of COVID-19 & Pandemic, Records Coldest October In 26 Years

Delhi is currently facing a double whammy of rising COVID-19 pandemic and air pollution. On one hand, Delhi has been reporting over 5,000 daily infections for two days running; on the other hand, a red-alert situation has arisen on pollution.

Delhi recorded the highest spike of 5,739 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday. Earlier on Wednesday, 5,673 fresh cases were registered in Delhi, triggering speculations whether there will be a third wave of Coronavirus in Delhi.

State Health Minister Satyendra Jain said that Corona trend would have to be monitored for a week to confirm the third wave.

Besides COVID-19, another concern mounts for Delhiites that the pollution level is also breaking records. On Friday, Delhi’s air became toxic.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQIs hit 408 in Delhi’s Anand Vihar, 447 in Bawana, 404 in Patparganj and 411 in Wazipur. These figures fall in the ‘severe’ category. That is, the air of Delhi has become so toxic that there is a severe risk of new respiratory diseases.

दिल्ली: दिल्ली प्रदूषण नियंत्रण समिति (DPCC) के आंकड़ों के अनुसार आनंद विहार में वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक (AQI) 408 ('गंभीर' श्रेणी ) पर , द्वारका सेक्टर-8 में 405 ('गंभीर' श्रेणी ) पर, अलीपुर में 403 ('गंभीर' श्रेणी ) पर, जहांगीरपुरी में 423 ('गंभीर' श्रेणी ) पर है। pic.twitter.com/Fa1NDDYKwS

— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) October 30, 2020

However, the temperature has the opposite relation to pollution. Due to the increase in moisture in the air, the pollutants stay in the atmosphere for a long time, forming a layer. In such a situation, winter has started breaking records in the capital in October alone.

At 12.5 degrees Celsius, Delhi recorded its coldest October in 26 years while temperature recorded at Lodhi Road was 12.4 degrees Celsius. Earlier on October 20, the minimum temperature broke the 11-year record. It will decline further in the days ahead.

On Thursday, the morning temperature in Delhi was 3 degrees below normal. On October 31, 1994, the morning temperature was recorded at 12.3 degrees Celsius. At 9.4 degrees Celsius, Delhi recorded the all-time lowest temperature in October on October 31, 1937.

#WATCH दिल्ली: प्रदूषण बढ़ने की वजह से राजधानी दिल्ली में दृश्यता (विज़िबिलिटी) कम हुई।। (दृश्य इंडिया गेट से) pic.twitter.com/n5s2uoJmFI

— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) October 30, 2020

Since October 16 this year, the morning temperature has been on the decline and it has not risen above 17.2 degrees Celsius. On Thursday, the maximum temperature was 32.2 degrees Celsius, which is one degree above normal.

But in some places, for the first time, the temperature went below 30 degrees Celsius. Among them, Palam recorded 29.4 degrees, Mangeshpur 29.5 degrees and Akshardham 29.2 degrees. On Friday, the maximum temperature can be 32 degrees Celsius. The morning temperature is likely to stay between 11-12 degrees till November 3.

दिल्ली: प्रदूषण बढ़ने की वजह से राजधानी दिल्ली में दृश्यता (विज़िबिलिटी) कम हुई। (तस्वीरें ITO और अक्षरधाम से )

केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (CPCB) के आंकड़ों के अनुसार ITO में वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक (AQI) 380 ('बहुत खराब' श्रेणी ) पर है। pic.twitter.com/OjnYCfuGKs

— ANI_HindiNews (@AHindinews) October 30, 2020

According to the Meteorological Department, Western Disturbances are not active this time. The anti-cyclone situation over Rajasthan has also served to dry and cool the winds. Due to the effect of La Nina, this time the winter season is longer and more winter is expected.