Rainfall brings pollution level to year's lowest in Delhi
Delhi recorded its lowest pollution level of the year today after a spell of rain but the air quality remained in the very poor category. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city was 347. 31 areas in Delhi recorded very poor air quality, while it was poor in two areas, it said.
Air Quality Index: Levels of AQI in Delhi NCR region
An AQI between 100 and 200 comes under moderate category, 201 and 300 under poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and that between 401 and 500 is severe. In the National Capital Region, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurugram, and Noida recorded very poor air quality, said CPCB.
Delhi's air quality oscillating between 'very poor' and 'severe' category
Delhi's air quality improved significantly today after rainfall washed away pollutants and cleansed the air. The city's air quality has been oscillating between the upper range of the very poor and severe category for the past two weeks. This is the first time this year that the air quality has been recorded in the lower range of the very poor category, the authorities said.
PM2.5 recorded at 197 while PM10 recorded at 312
The overall PM2.5 level (fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers) in Delhi was recorded at 197 while the PM10 (diameter less than 10 micrometers) level was at 312, the CPCB said. The Center-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) said the overall air quality over Delhi is very poor.
AQI expected to remain 'very poor' for next three days
"Moderate foggy conditions will prevail for the next two days over Delhi and surrounding regions and may not allow significant improvement. An active western disturbance is very likely to cause fairly widespread moisture intrusion over the northern region including Delhi," the SAFAR said. "The AQI is expected to remain in very poor range for the next three days with declining magnitude," it had said.
