New Delhi: Delhi's air quality on Monday continues to be in 'very poor' category with overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 343 with PM2.5 being the dominant pollutant, said System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). Experts say the reason behind the deteriorating air pollution is calm surface wind speed and variable wind direction.
Looking at the situation, SAFAR had also issued an advisory for "sensitive groups" to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. "People are advised to take more breaks and do less intense activities," said SAFAR. The asthmatics have been advised to keep medicines ready if symptoms of coughing or shortness of breath occur.
"Heart patients, see the doctor, if get palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue," it stated in its advisory.
Meanwhile, SAFAR has also predicted that AQI is likely to improve on Tuesday.
"Little increase in wind speed is forecasted for Tuesday, the SAFAR model forecast suggests a slight improvement in AQI for Tuesday, but within the very poor category," reported SAFAR.
On the other hand, calm surface winds and ventilation coefficient is forecasted for December 11. "A dip in overall AQI within the higher end of the very poor category and few locations for a short period of time may touch the severe category," reported SAFAR.
Under the influence of approaching western disturbance, increased wind speed and scattered rainfall is expected by the evening of December 12, improvement in AQI is expecting. At areas such as Alipur, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, DTU, Dwarka sector – 8, Sirifort the AQI was at 383, 386, 382, 389, 376, 352.