Rain likely on Nov. 14, 15; no let-up in smog

Light rains predicted on November 14 and 15 is likely to clear the smog in Delhi and bring respite to the people gasping for breath.

Meanwhile, all schools in Delhi will reopen on Monday after a five-day break announced by the Delhi government due t the alarming pollution levels. “Schools will reopen tomorrow and the break is not being further extended,” a Delhi government official confirmed.

However, Gurgaon announced that the schools will remain closed tomorrow.

The minimum temperature on Sunday touched 13 degrees Celsius, one notch below the season’s average, while the maximum temperature was recorded at 28.4 degrees Celsius. Humidity levels oscillated between 98 per cent and 51 per cent.

Pollutants have risen as there was a drop in boundary layer where they remained trapped and were unable to escape into the atmosphere's upper layer

According to the MeT department, moderate fog will prevail Delhi tomorrow morning and mostly clear sky during the day.

Light rains have been predicted in the national capital on November 14 and 15, which, the MeT officials say, could clear the smog, giving some relief to Delhiites.

However, the air quality remained in the ‘emergency’ category with the air quality index (AQI) being recorded at 460 on Sunday, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). There were some gains on Saturday morning as the level of pollutants in the city’s air had considerably reduced.

As per SAFAR website, under Union ministry of Earth sciences, the air quality worsened post morning hours and continued to deteriorate on Sunday.

The levels of particulate matter (PM) 10 and PM 2.5 were recorded at 607 and 352 microgramme per cubic metre (ug/m3) respectively,

System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (Safar) project director Gufran Beig said the level of pollutants has risen as there was a drop in boundary layer where pollutants remained trapped and were unable to escape into the atmosphere.

The wind speed picked up to 7kmph on Saturday. However, before it could flush out a sufficient amount of pollutants, fall in maximum temperature, brought in a boundary layer as low as 45 metres for the first time in the season, was at 1,600 metres on Sunday.