No weather relief from dangerous smog in New Delhi predicted into at least Monday

The weather is not expected to provide relief from the thick smog and haze that has resulted in a health emergency and travel delays in India’s National Capital Region into Monday.

The combination of smoke and pollution from crop burning, factories and automobiles leads to dangerous levels of pollution from late fall through early spring throughout northern India and northern Pakistan, and this year is no exception.

Weather conditions contributing to the dangerous smog are not expected to significantly improve through at least Monday as high pressure remains over the area, resulting in light winds and no rainfall.

High pressure puts a lid on the atmosphere, keeping pollutants and stagnant air trapped at the surface.

The persistent poor visibility threatens to cause more railway and flight delays. United Airlines suspended flights to Delhi from Nov. 9 to 13 due to the issues with the air quality, according to the United Airlines website.

Pollutants will not get scoured out, keeping air quality at dangerous levels for residents and animals in the region.

Travel delays are mounting, and the Indian Medical Associated declared a public health emergency on Tuesday, according to the Associated Press.

Government hospitals in New Delhi have treated thousands of patients with respiratory ailments, according to Reuters.

However, a storm will approach northwestern India early next week and may bring slight relief from the thick smog.

“The storm will attempt to scour out the stagnant air from Tuesday and Wednesday,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Jason Nicholls said. "Another system may follow later next weekend."

At the same time, a tropical cyclone may attempt to brew in the Bay of Bengal.

“Each storm will not be extremely strong when it moves across northern India, so the likelihood it totally clears the sky is low. However, the storms may cause visibility to improve slightly for a day or two," Nicholls said.

Since the first storm may be stronger when it moves across Pakistan, Nicholls anticipates Multan and Lahore in Pakistan to have the better chance for smog relief than New Delhi.

Nicholls warned that any relief next week will be temporary as high pressure will build back overhead the following week and remain the dominant weather feature through early spring.

“There are typically a half dozen or fewer storms that are strong enough to bring any relief from the smog in northern India during the winter,” Nicholls said, “and any relief usually lasts only a day or two.”

“It takes until the spring for the persistent smog to get scoured out fully,” he said.

Even a minor uptick in visibility may lead to fewer travel delays and slightly better breathing conditions for residents.

The government is taking steps to attempt to mitigate the dangers of the current thick smog to residents and travelers.

One step announced on Friday includes finalizing plans to spray water over New Delhi, Reuters reported.

"Sprinkling water is the only way to bring down the dangerous pollution levels," Shruti Bhardwaj, the environment ministry's senior most official in charge of monitoring air quality told Reuters.

However, AccuWeather meteorologists are concerned that such action may lead to acid rain and water contamination. Any relief is likely to be very brief.

The public health emergency issued last week advised citizens to stay indoors and for schools to be closed. In response, the government announced schools in New Delhi were to be closed for the remainder of the week.

An odd-even car rationing scheme will be in effect from 13-17 November, according to the Times of India.

The Indian Medical Association also suggested canceling the Delhi Half Marathon which is scheduled for 19 November, due to the potential harm to participants.

The National Green Tribunal issued several directions in an attempt to curb the pollution across the National Capital Region. Such directions include banning construction, industrial activities and the entry of trucks, except those carrying essential items.

Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Sh. Anil Baijal, stated that there will be an increase in metro and buses to encourage the use of public transportation.

The sale of firecrackers was banned prior to last month’s Diwali festival in an attempt to limit pollutant emissions; however, those efforts made little impact in the long-term air quality.

While some restrictions have been put in place to lower vehicle and factory emissions in New Delhi, pollution from neighboring areas remains a concern.

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