Delhi’s AQI again in ‘very poor’ category; Improvement likely in January
After recording “moderate” air quality for two consecutive days, Delhi’s AQI (air quality index) settled again in the “very poor” category at 316 on Friday morning. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, then 401 and 500 “very poor”. Beach is considered “serious”. ,
The levels of PM10 (226) and PM2.5 (122) pollutants in the air were recorded in moderate and very poor category respectively, with the latter being the major source of pollutant in the city.
As per the estimates of System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) “Cold wave conditions prevailing over North-West region of Delhi and westerly/northwesterly direction affects the weather in Delhi. The minimum and maximum temperatures have a tendency to increase slightly for December 31 and January 1 and January 2. Continuous strong wind speed is very likely for these three days,” it said in a bulletin.
The height of the mixing layer remains 1.0 – 1.5 km. SAFAR said New Year’s celebrations on the night of December 31 could increase emissions and worsen AQI, but with a net effect these days the AQI is likely to be kept within “very poor” or “high end of very poor”. .
Notably, New Year celebrations have been banned in the national capital in view of the spike in Covid-19 cases. Light rain this week as a result of a Western Disturbance led to a marginal improvement in the air quality over the past two days as Delhi’s AQI dipped below 250.
According to the weather bulletin, the air quality is likely to remain in the low to very poor category till January 4 and reach the upper end of very poor on January 5 and 6, but will improve thereafter.
Read also | IDelhi’s minimum temperature dropped by 3.4 degrees Celsius; Be ready for a chilly New Year, says IMD
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