The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that October 2024 in Delhi was the warmest since 1951, in terms of both Maximum and Minimum temperatures in Safdarjung.
As per IMD, the Monthly maximum and minimum temperatures over Safdarjung for the month of October have been recorded as 35.1 degree Celsius and 21.2 degree Celsius respectively.
In 1907, the maximum temperature was 35.5 degrees Celsius, in 1930 maximum temperature was 35.0 degrees Celsius, in 1938 it recorded 35.0 degrees Celsius, in 1941 it recorded 35.8 degrees Celsius, in 1951 it recorded 36.2 degrees Celsius respectively.
A thick layer of haze blanketed Delhi, with the national capital's AQI plunging to 362 on Friday as people defied a citywide ban on firecrackers during Diwali celebrations. As per SAFAR data at 11 pm, the overall AQI in the national capital stood at 362. As per CPCB data, Anand Vihar recorded AQI at 385, Ashok Vihar at 383, Punjabi Bagh recorded AQI at 386, Pusa recorded AQI at 395, RK Puram at 391, Rohini at 383, Wazirpur at 385.
Speaking on the poor air quality in Delhi, Senior consultant at Apollo hospital, Dr Nikhil Modi said, "It has been 10-14 days since the air quality in Delhi has been poor. Patients with complaints of cough, difficulty in breathing and more chest infections have been coming in. I am expecting more patients with problems related to pollution. Watery eyes, runny nose, cough, difficulty in breathing and chest infections are experienced due to air pollution. We have advised patients not to venture out during high-pollution hours and to minimise exposure to pollution. Those already on respiratory medicines need to continue them. A diet high in antioxidants can help fight this. Children and elderly are most vulnerable."
While speaking to news agency ANI, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said, "Delhi's air quality has been in 'Very Poor' category for the past few days. People had predicted that there would be a rise in the level of air pollution in Delhi on the next day of Diwali, but we can see it the pollution level has remained under control. This is the success of the collective efforts of the people of Delhi and all departments. I congratulate the people of Delhi for acting as responsible citizens by lighting diyas and not bursting crackers, and contributing towards controlling the pollution levels. I hope by next year we will be able to make those who burst firecrackers also understand this. From today, we are increasing the sprinkling of water across Delhi to control air pollution levels...Firecrackers were not burst on a large scale, this indicates the changing mindset of the people of Delhi…”
