Air quality remains 'very poor' in national capital

NEW DELHI: Delhi's air quality remained 'very poor' on Tuesday due to unfavourable wind and high humidity, authorities said. The overall air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 349, which comes under the 'very poor' category, according to the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR).

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data said 20 areas in Delhi recorded 'very poor' air quality and 13 'poor' air quality. On Tuesday, the PM2.5 particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres was recorded at 227, while the PM10 level was recorded at 358, the CPCB data said.

The air quality is very poor and is expected to increase gradually in next two to three days, but will be well within the 'very poor' limit, the SAFAR said in a report.

"At present, winds are unfavourable for dispersion but it may slow down any time with fall in temperature which is expected. Humidity is still high which is unfavourable. Fire counts from stubble burning declined and will have marginal impact," it said.

Meanwhile, with Delhi experiencing the worst ever phase of air pollution, the government is considering to seed clouds to cause artificial rain. "If the situation worsens, the option of 'cloud seeding' to induce rainfall artificially, as an immediate step can be considered," Mahesh Sharma, MoS Environment, said.