Air quality to see improvement in November

NEW DELHI: Air quality in Delhi was seen to have improved on Monday, with Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at lower than 300.

However, agencies have predicted that the 'very poor' condition will persist for the week and the air quality is likely to improve significantly from November.

The AQI in Delhi's R K Puram area was recorded at 239. At ITO, the number was at 251, i.e. 'very unhealthy', and at Anand Vihar it was 569, i.e. 'hazardous'.

AQI trends between October 17 and 22 showed the condition to be 'severe' in the city.

A value of 403 was recorded on October 20, the day after of Diwali.

The index shifted to 'very poor' condition from October 21, and the value dropped to 329 on October 22.

Meanwhile, the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), predicted that this week, air quality would be 'very poor'.

According to experts, pollutants which were added to the air after Diwali would take time to disperse.

As per Skymet Weather, earlier, a depression was moving across the northern Bay of Bengal and eastern parts of the country.

As a result, easterly humid winds were blowing over the northern plains that increased the humidity levels over Delhi and NCR.

Experts asserted that with change in climate and the increase in wind speed, the pollution would change.

Meanwhile, Delhi Environment minister, Imran Hussain on Monday reviewed the ambient air quality in Delhi during a meeting with officials of the Environment department and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee.

The minister was informed that ambient air quality this year is relatively better than for the same period in 2016, especially in terms of particulate matter.

Air quality over the last two days has improved, giving residents a reason to smile.