Air quality in Delhi remains ‘very poor’ for the third day | Latest news India

Delhi’s air quality remained at the higher end of the ‘very poor’ category for the third day on Tuesday as calm winds and low temperatures continued to affect the dispersion of pollutants. An average air quality index (AQI) of 384 (very poor) was recorded at 8am on Tuesday. AQI greater than 401 is categorized as “severe”. The AQI was 381 at 4pm on Monday and 382 at the same time on Sunday.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows that at least 11 of the 40 air quality monitoring stations in Delhi recorded severe pollution at 8 am on Tuesday. Among them were Anand Vihar (457), Jahangirpuri (440) and NSIT Dwarka (430).

Air quality was unlikely to improve as meteorological conditions would remain largely the same. The Early Warning System for Delhi predicts “very poor” air quality until Thursday.

An official said winds were calm overnight before increasing to about 4-6 km per hour for short periods. “Visibility was around 2,100 meters at night and dropped marginally to 1,800 meters at 6am. The same visibility continues now,” the official said.

Delhi’s AQI is not serious yet this season. Pollution levels have increased since Saturday as wind speeds dropped. Strong surface winds of 10-15 km per hour helped disperse earlier pollutants, effectively clearing much of the fireworks emissions released after Diwali.

Delhi’s average AQI was 339 on Friday, the second-lowest post-Diwali level in nine years. The AQI then improved to 316 on Saturday.

The CPCB classifies AQI between 0-50 as “good”, between 51 and 100 as “satisfactory”, between 101 and 200 as “moderate”, between 201 and 300 as “poor”, between 301 and 400 as “very poor”, and more than 400 as “severe.”