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Delhi's air quality likely to worsen in upcoming days

In the past week, dry and cold north-westerly winds have been blowing over most parts of north western plains, including Delhi and its neighbouring areas.

NEW DELHI: With air quality in Delhi measuring in at 355 on Sunday, categorised as 'very poor', air quality index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR could worsen in the next three days.
At many places in the national Capital, the AQI on Sunday crossed the 400 mark. Meteorologists have said that a significant increase in pollution levels is expected by November 29.
In the past week, dry and cold north-westerly winds have been blowing over most parts of north western plains, including Delhi and its neighbouring areas of Noida, Faridabad, Gurugram and Ghaziabad.
This has prevented formation of fog and kept pollution levels under control.
For some time now, pollution in Delhi has been on the back foot. So much so, that the city has been breathing cleaner air for a while now.
However, now, with a fresh Western Disturbance approaching the Western Himalayas, the wind pattern is expected to change. South-westerly winds, which are light in nature, have started blowing over the region.
"Thus, Delhi Pollution is expected to witness an increase soon. Moisture levels will also increase, resulting in high humidity levels. Pollution levels have already increased over Delhi-NCR, with AQI being above 400 in parts of the national Capital on Saturday," said an official of Central Pollution Control Board.
On Sunday, around 1 am, AQI in Anand Vihar was 404. In Shadipur, around 10 am, it was 390. In Punjabi Bagh, the AQI at 1 am was 375 and at Lodhi Road, the levels reached 352 at 10 am. The overall AQI in Delhi was recorded at 322 on Sunday, slightly lower than Saturday's 335.
In the upcoming three days, levels of PM2.5 and PM10 levels may also go up three times the safe standard to 177 and 296 microgram per cubic metre (µg/m³), respectively.
A rise in pollution levels can be expected in Delhi and adjoining areas by November 29, due to the decrease in wind speed.

Air quality deteriorates in Gurugram
GURUGRAM: After showing some improvement a few days ago, air quality in Gurugram began worsening again, with PM2.5 levels hovering around 170-200 µg/m³ on Sunday. Heavy concentration of poisonous gases like nitrogen oxide, sulphur dioxide and carbon monoxide was also recorded. Though the situation is not as bad as it was a few weeks ago, a hazy layer of smog has begun covering the city.
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