The air quality has worsened due to plummeting mercury and unfavourable meteorological conditions that slowed down dispersion of pollutants, authorities said.
The national Capital continued to gasp as its air quality touched 'very poor' category on Saturday with it being just notches away from turning 'severe'. The air quality has worsened due to plummeting mercury and unfavourable meteorological conditions that slowed down dispersion of pollutants, authorities said.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded 389 as the overall air quality index (AQI) in Delhi, which is categorised in 'very poor' category. While the AQI plunged briefly into the 'severe' category on Saturday morning, it turned 'very poor' by afternoon.
Delhi's air quality has been oscillating between 'very poor' and 'severe' categories for the past 10 days. According to data from CPCB, 15 areas recorded 'severe' pollution, while 21 areas witnessed 'very poor' air quality.
In the national capital region (NCR), Ghaziabad recorded 'severe' air quality, while Faridabad, Gurgaon and Noida recorded 'very poor' air quality.
The overall PM2.5 level — fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometer — was recorded at 234 and the PM10 level at 380 in Delhi, the CPCB said.
The national Capital recorded its second highest pollution level of the year on Sunday with an AQI of 450.
According to the SAFAR, Delhi's air quality has deteriorated slightly and touched upper side of the 'very poor' category." Air quality in Delhi is very poor which may improve slightly as winds are relatively high during day but predicted to deteriorate by Sunday as winds speed is unlikely to remain the same and other meteorological conditions are already not favourable.
"Cold wave conditions are likely to persist at least for next 2 days," the SAFAR said. "The air quality index will continue to fluctuate between 360-380 for the next 3 days which falls under upper side of 'very poor' category," it added.
The SAFAR also pointed out that a consistent "day-night trend" is observed for the past one week."
WHAT'S IN STORE
Air quality is very poor in Delhi which may improve slightly as winds are relatively high during the day. But it is expected to deteriorate by Sunday as winds speed is unlikely to remain the same and meteorological conditions are not favourable.
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