School Timings In Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad To Change Following Cold Wave?

The Delhi-NCR region experienced its coldest morning of the winter season on Wednesday, with temperatures plunging to 4.9 degrees Celsius. This was a significant drop from the previous day's 8 degrees Celsius. "The minimum temperature of 4.9 degrees Celsius reported over Safdarjung is the lowest minimum of this winter season. The same minimum temperature of 4.9 degrees Celsius was reported last year also, on 15th December," stated the India Meteorological Department.

Despite the chilly weather, Delhi's air quality remained poor on Wednesday morning, though it was nearing moderate levels. At 8 am, the city's AQI was recorded at 207, a slight improvement from the previous day's reading of 223. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 201 and 300 is considered 'poor'.

Parents Concerned About School Timings Amid Cold Wave

In light of the severe cold wave affecting Delhi-NCR, many parents are advocating for changes in school timings to safeguard their children's health. Varun Kumar Sharma, a parent from Delhi-NCR, expressed his preference for not sending his child to school during extreme cold conditions. He believes schools should be flexible and consider adjusting timings based on prevailing weather conditions.

Shiwangi, another concerned parent, highlighted the increased risk of accidents during winter due to foggy conditions in cities like Delhi and Lucknow. She noted that delayed school timings could significantly reduce these risks and ensure safer commutes for children.

Advocate Vishal Upadhyay from Laxmi Nagar echoed similar sentiments about revising school schedules. He emphasised that nothing is more important than children's safety and health. Starting school amidst dense fog and extreme cold poses risks that can be mitigated by adjusting timings.

Current Air Quality Status in Delhi

The Sameer app provides hourly updates on air quality across various monitoring stations in Delhi. Out of 39 stations, only RK Puram recorded 'severe' air quality levels. Meanwhile, twenty-three stations reported 'poor' air quality, with the rest falling into the 'moderate' category.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is deemed 'good', while readings between 51 and 100 are 'satisfactory'. Levels between 101 and 200 are classified as 'moderate', with anything above being considered unhealthy to varying degrees.

As temperatures continue to drop in Delhi-NCR, parents remain hopeful that schools will take proactive measures to ensure their children's well-being during this cold spell.