The weather in the national capital is changing rapidly, giving residents an early feel of summer in February itself. On Wednesday, the maximum temperature at the Safdarjung Observatory was recorded at 30.2 degrees Celsius, which is over 4 degrees above the normal range. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has indicated that while the temperature will remain stable for the next two days, a significant rise is expected starting February 28.
What is the forecast for the coming days?
According to the IMD, the temperature might jump by 1 to 5 degrees Celsius starting from February 28. By the end of this month, the mercury is likely to reach 33-34 degrees Celsius, marking a major deviation from typical winter patterns. A Western Disturbance will become active on February 27, bringing cloudy skies and possible light drizzle on February 28, but meteorologists warn that this will not bring much relief from the growing heat.
Officials have stated that February is witnessing pre-summer conditions this year. With the sun becoming sharper, the heat is expected to increase significantly by Holi. Residents are advised to prepare for warmer days ahead as the transition from winter to summer appears to be faster than usual.
Air Quality and New Monitoring Stations
The air quality in Delhi remains a concern with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 205, placing it in the poor category. Specific areas like Anand Vihar are facing worse conditions, with AQI levels hitting 302, falling under the very poor category. To better track pollution levels, 6 new monitoring stations have been activated, taking the total count to 46 in the city.
Recent updates also highlight administrative actions regarding pollution control. A recent RTI report revealed that only 43% of the allocated 300 crore rupee pollution budget has been utilized so far. Meanwhile, various departments have signed agreements to improve air quality management across the National Capital Region.
