New Delhi (NVI): The national capital’s air quality slipped back into the ‘poor’ category this morning, a day after significant improved due to favourable wind speed.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s air quality index (AQI) was 213 at 10 am.
The AQI in neighbouring cities of Faridabad (168), Ghaziabad (231), Gurgaon (188) and Noida (218), was also recorded in ‘moderate’ and ‘poor’ categories.
The 24-hour average AQI was 137 on Friday, 302 on Thursday and 413 on Wednesday, as per the CPCB data.
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’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.
Officials at government agencies stated that, stronger winds and a drastic reduction in the contribution of stubble burning were two major reasons for cleaner skies over Delhi yesterday.
However, the winds slowed down at night allowing the pollutants to accumulate.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast that, the maximum wind speed was 18 kmph on Friday, which is likely to decrease to 15 kmph on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the Ministry Earth Sciences’ air monitor, SAFAR said, the AQI is forecast to stay in the ‘moderate’ to the poor category for the next two days.
“Surface winds are forecast to decrease by November 30 annd the poor to the lower end of the very poor category is likely,” SAFAR added.
The minimum temperature in the city was 10.2 degree Celsius, while the maximum was 27 degree today, one degree above normal, the IMD said, the minimum is expected to touch 7 degrees by November 30.
-RJV
