Srinagar: A man rides a bicycle during season's first snowfall on Nov 3
Fresh snowfall and rain in parts of Himachal, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir have come as a boon for the toxic-laden air of Delhi-NCR. The western disturbances, which caused the snowfall and rains accompanied, have left a positive impact over Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Western Uttar Pradesh, with a drop in low moisture winds and temperature.
This, experts believe, has provided a much-needed breather to Delhi-NCR which is seeing an improvement in air quality -- even if for a brief while.
The western disturbance has however passed and hilly states will not see snowfall from Sunday onwards.
"The western disturbance is passing and the region will now see cold, but dry north-westerly winds, with a bit higher speed, which will bring down the temperatures across northern plains. Snowfall is not expected in mountain regions of Himachal and parts of Uttarakhand," India Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist M Mohapatra told IANS.
The IMD has, however, forecast a possibility of snowfall in parts of J&K towards Sunday as well.
According to weather analysts, the winds from north-west, due to their higher speed, will be good for Delhi-NCR air quality. Meanwhile, the mercury is likely to fall across Delhi-NCR region, Punjab, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh due to chilly winds from the mountains.
"The moisture in NCR is set to drop on Sunday and winds are expected to catch up. This will be good for the dispersion of the air pollution," said Mahesh Palwat, director private weather analyst group Skymet. On Saturday, the maximum temperature of Delhi was recorded at 30.6 degrees, while the minimum temperature was 18.5 degree Celsius.
"Sunday's minimum temperature in Delhi is likely to be around 15 to 16 degrees," an IMD official said.
Delhi air quality on Sunday was recorded below 300, which is a vast improvement from an AQI of 370 on Friday and 340 on Saturday.
However, the System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) report has attributed it to measures such as halt on all construction activities involving excavation, checking of polluting vehicles and sprinkling of water on roads imposed by authorities.
The AQI has "improved to the lower range of 'very poor' category despite adverse weather conditions, reflecting the impact of reduced base emission", the report said.
The SAFAR has predicted deterioration of air quality from Monday.
The report said at this persistence stage of westerly disturbances, some instability is good for dispersion of pollutants.
But, it warned that moisture in Delhi's atmosphere, fall in temperature and upper winds from stubble burning sites will "adversely impact air quality and as per the SAFAR-forecasting model the AQI will touch upper level of very poor from November 5 afternoon onwards".
(With inputs from IANS)
