New Delhi (NVI): The national capital’s air quality improved slightly this morning, but continued to remain in the ‘very poor’ category.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 306 at around 9 am, while on previous day AQI was 315 at around 4 pm.
Many parts of Delhi reported AQIs in the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ category including the area of Anand Vihar (292), RK Puram (392), and Dwarka Sector 8 (390), Patparganj (275) and Vivek Vihar (301), as per the CPCB data.
An AQI between 0-50 is marked good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101- 200 is moderate, 201- 300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor and 401-500 is considered severe.
Earlier on Thursday, the government agencies predicted that air quality may improve slightly over the weekend due to change in wind speed.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air quality monitoring agency, SAFAR said that the overall Delhi air quality is in the lower end of the very poor category. PM10 is the lead pollutant as long range transport of dust from the dry arid southwest regions continues to contribute.
“Surface winds are moderate and west southwesterly. However, AQI is likely to marginally improve and stay in the lower end of the ‘very poor’ to ‘poor’ category for tomorrow and further improve to ‘poor’ AQI for March 21 and 22,” SAFAR added.
Meanwhile, as per the IMD’s regional department in Delhi, the minimum temperature settled at 19 degree Celsius and maximum temperature can go up to 35 degrees Celsius. It also forecasts generally cloudy sky with light rain or drizzle for the day.
-RJV
