POLLUTION

Delhi's Air Quality Index Remains 'Very Poor' for the Fourth Consecutive Day; Improvement Likely from Tuesday

Smog at NH-9 in Delhi at 12:30 AM on Friday. (Tarun Rawat/TOI, BCCL, Delhi) — Representational image
(Tarun Rawat/TOI, BCCL, Delhi)

Delhi's air quality index on Monday remains in the "very poor" category for the fourth consecutive day.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the overall air quality index of the city was recorded at 319 as of 11 AM today. However, the air quality is likely to improve from Tuesday onwards.

Both the major pollutants PM 2.5 and PM 10 were recorded at 144 and 257, respectively, in the city on Monday.

For context, 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".

As per SAFAR data, the air quality index at Lodhi Road on Sunday was reported to be 290 or "poor", Pusa reported 304 AQI or "very poor", and Mathura Road was most polluted at 358 or "very poor" category.

The India Metrological Department (IMD) has suggested that a change in wind direction to south-easterly has increased the moisture, and this has affected the air quality. The Met officials said the wind speed suddenly slowed down from February 16.

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The above article has been published from a wire source with minimal modifications to the headline and text.

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