NEW DELHI: The air quality of Delhi remained very poor on Tuesday as it recorded 335, an average. The condition is likely to decorate on Wednesday according to the officials. "India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted low winds, poor ventilation coefficient and stable atmospheric conditions likely to cause episodic severe air quality events particularly in the evening and night till December 29," a CPCB statement said.
The pollution caused thick smog, at 6 am, 10 trains stood cancelled, 30 were delayed and six others were rescheduled due to poor visibility, according to a Northern Railway spokesperson. The minimum temperature settled at 7.1 degrees Celsius, while the humidity in the morning was 94% , the MeT official said. The Palam weather station recorded a low of 8 degrees Celsius, Lodhi Road 7.3, Ridge 7.6 and Ayanagar 9 degrees Celsius, he said.
"In view of this, concerned agencies requested to remain alert and take all necessary measures for preventing the emergency situation," the CPCB added. The Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi was recorded 335 on Tuesday against 372 on Monday, both considered "very poor".
While AQI of Ghaziabad and Noida on Tuesday was 445 and 476 respectively, on Monday, they were 465 and 476, all considered "severe". The major pollutant PM2.5 or particles in the air with the diameter less than 2.5 micrometres, at 7 p.m in Delhi were recorded at 218 units while across NCR, it was 222 units. Anand Vihar in east Delhi and Delhi Technical University in south Delhi were the most polluted regions with PM2.5 rated "severe-plus" measuring at 336 and 399 units, respectively. The safe limit for PM2.5 as per international standards is 25 units, while for national standards, it is 40 units.