New Delhi: Delhi’s air quality returned to the ‘very poor’ category on Thursday as the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 319. The rise ended a brief
spell of improvement in the national capital.
The city had recorded an AQI of 299 on Wednesday, which falls in the ‘poor’ category. However, pollution levels increased again across several neighbourhoods by Thursday morning, according to figures cited by India Today. At 6.30 am, 36 of Delhi’s 58 air quality monitoring stations registered readings above 300.
IIT Delhi records severe air
IIT Delhi recorded the highest AQI at 413, placing it in the ‘severe’ category. Jaffarpur and ITO each registered 394, close to the severe threshold. Pusa Road recorded an AQI of 382, followed by Burari Crossing at 378. Dwarka and Jawaharlal Nehru University each reported 376, while Mathura Road registered 363.
The readings showed that Thursday’s deterioration affected several parts of the capital. Although the citywide average remained below the severe category, the reading at IIT Delhi crossed that threshold.
Pollution rises after Diwali
Delhi has faced worsening air quality following Diwali. Stubble burning in neighbouring states has also contributed to the pollution, according to the report. Wednesday’s reading had offered limited relief, with the overall AQI just below the ‘very poor’ threshold. The increase to 319 on Thursday placed the city back in that category.
An AQI between 201 and 300 falls in the ‘poor’ category. Readings from 301 to 400 qualify as ‘very poor’, while those between 401 and 500 fall in the ‘severe’ category.
No rain forecast
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecast no rainfall in Delhi between November 10 and 15. The dry outlook leaves little prospect of rain bringing relief from pollution during this period. Thursday’s maximum temperature is expected to range between 27 and 29 degrees Celsius. The minimum is likely to remain between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius.
For Friday and Saturday, forecasts put maximum temperatures between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures between 15 and 17 degrees Celsius.
Until November 15, daytime temperatures are broadly expected to stay between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius. Minimum temperatures could range from 14 to 17 degrees Celsius. Despite an approaching Western Disturbance, the IMD had forecast little change in temperatures.
