Delhi's air quality turns 'severe' for fourth time in 10 days
‘AQI will continue to fluctuate between 360-380 for next three days’
NEW DELHI: Delhi's air quality slipped into the 'severe' category on Sunday due to unfavourable meteorological conditions slowing down dispersion of pollutants, authorities said. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed the overall air quality index (AQI) of Delhi at 412, which falls in the "severe category", while the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) recorded an AQI of 388, which comes under the 'very poor' category.
The SAFAR also pointed out that a consistent day-night trend is observed for the past week. "During night, combination of calm wind and colder conditions is elevating the pollution level, wherein many locations, 24-hour rolling average (AQI) is touching 'severe' levels for a few hours, whereas during the day, wind speed is picking up slightly and temperature is increasing to keep the level in the 'very poor' range," it said.
The air quality slipped into the 'severe' category on Sunday morning for this fourth time in 10 days. Delhi's air quality has oscillated between the 'very poor' and the 'severe' categories during this period. According to the CPCB data, 27 areas recorded 'severe' pollution, while eight areas witnessed 'very poor' air quality.
In the NCR, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Noida recorded 'severe' air quality, while Faridabad recorded 'very poor' quality air. The overall PM2.5 level (fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) was recorded at 339 and the PM10 level at 506 in Delhi, the CPCB said.
The national capital recorded its second-highest pollution level of the year last Sunday with an AQI of 450. The air quality remained 'severe' on Monday and Tuesday. There was a slight drop in the pollution level and the air quality had moved to the 'very poor' category on Wednesday. On Thursday, the air quality had again worsened and turned 'severe'.
According to the SAFAR, the air quality over Delhi has deteriorated slightly and touched the upper side of the 'very poor' category.
"The air quality index will continue to fluctuate between 360-380 for the next three days, which comes under the "very poor" category," the SAFAR added.
Capital shivers at 3 degree C
NEW DELHI: The residents of Delhi continued to battle a long-lasting cold wave as they woke up to a chilly Sunday morning. The mercury dipped to 3 degrees Celsius, four notches below the season's average. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 21 degrees Celsius, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said.
The visibility in the morning was 1,500 metres in most parts of the city, he said.
"There was fog in the morning. The sky will be clear ahead with haze and smoke. Some places in the city may face a cold wave situation in the day," the IMD official said.
On Saturday, maximum temperature settled at 21 degrees Celsius, one notch below the season's average, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 2.6 degrees Celsius, four notches below the season's average. It was also the season's lowest.
