DELHI POLLUTION ALERT: Air Quality Deteriorates to Toxic, AQI at 303

Delhi people are going to face double-trouble in coming days. This is due to a problematic combo of cold wave and pollution which is set to haunt the Delhi residents. 

While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cold wave warning in Delhi and the forecast that night temperature could further drop to around 4 degrees in the following days, a news agency has also reported that Delhi is likely to experience toxic air over the next two days. 

Air Quality Index: 

The Air Quality Index (AQI) value, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), on Tuesday was recorded at 353, in the ‘very poor’ category. The air quality in the city is likely to deteriorate, as wind speed could slow down over the next two days. 

Though, most areas of Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index between 300 and 400 on Wednesday morning.  

An Air Quality Index between 0 and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”. 

In the National Capital Region (NCR), Greater Noida at 373, Ghaziabad at 363, Faridabad at 326 and Noida at 323 also remained in the “very poor” zone. 

Gurugram, which had been maintaining “moderate” level of air quality for some days, also slipped into the “poor” category with an AQI of 221. 

As per CPCB data, the average concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 in Delhi at 7 pm were 204 and 347 microgrammes per cubic metres.  

The overall AQI of Delhi remained in the “very poor” zone, districts like Mundka, Nehru Nagar, Jahangirpuri and Mathura Road recorded “severe” levels of PM2.5 (ranging between 401 and 500). 

According to IMD the minimum temperature of Delhi is expected to rise by around 1-2 degrees Celsius from December 23, as a western disturbance will approach bringing clouds with it. Thereby increasing the air pollution of the Capital.