According to CPCB, the national capital recorded an AQI of 285 on Sunday.

There was a slight improvement in Delhi’s air quality for the second consecutive day on Monday, even as it remained of “poor” quality with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 273 in the morning.

According to data provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital recorded an AQI of 285 on Sunday, an improvement to the “poor” category, and a welcome relief following 32 consecutive days of “very poor” and “severe” air quality (AQI above 400).

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October 29 was the previous instance of Delhi’s air quality being in the “poor” category, when it was at an AQI of 268, as per CPCB.

Experts say that the improvement is due to dry northwesterly winds and ample sunlight, which have helped disperse pollutants. However, the situation remains far from ideal as an AQI between 201 and 300 remains “harmful” to sensitive groups.

The AQI is divided into six categories: “good” (0-50), “satisfactory” (51-100), “moderate” (101-200), “poor” (201-300), “very poor” (301-400) and “severe” (401-500).

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Currently, Delhi is under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). On November 29, the Supreme Court directed authorities to not lift the stringent anti-pollution measures at least until Monday.

Stage 4 of GRAP came into effect on November 18 in Delhi.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has reported a minimum temperature of 10.4 degrees Celsius, 0.9 degrees above the season’s average.

The maximum temperature is expected to rise to around 27 degrees Celsius and the humidity levels were at 89% at 8:30 am, the IMD said.

Delhi’s air quality showed improvement on the second day, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 273, still falling under the ‘poor’ category. Despite a slight reduction in pollution levels, the air quality remains concerning, as the AQI falls far beyond the safe threshold. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 201 and 300 is classified as “poor” and poses health risks to individuals, especially those with respiratory conditions, the elderly, and children.

The improvement, however, was welcomed as it signaled a shift from the hazardous levels the city had been experiencing in recent days. On the previous day, Delhi had seen an AQI above 300, which pushed the air quality into the “very poor” and “severe” categories. While today’s AQI marks some relief, the pollution levels are still high enough to raise concerns, with experts urging citizens to limit outdoor activities, especially in the morning and evening hours.

The key contributors to Delhi’s air pollution remain vehicular emissions, industrial activity, and construction dust, compounded by weather conditions that trap pollutants near the surface. Although air quality has marginally improved, the city is expected to face ongoing challenges in reducing pollution levels in the coming days.

Authorities have issued advisories for residents to stay indoors whenever possible and use masks to protect themselves from harmful particulate matter. The government has also encouraged citizens to follow measures to reduce pollution, including carpooling, using public transportation, and reducing the burning of waste.

In summary, Delhi’s air quality has shown some improvement but remains in the ‘poor’ category, posing a risk to public health.

#DelhiAirQuality #AQI #Pollution #DelhiWeather #HealthRisks #AirPollution

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