Air pollution in the national capital, Delhi, is once again reaching a critical state. The city’s air quality remains consistently poor, causing significant breathing difficulties for its residents. On Saturday morning—just one day before Diwali—the air quality in the national capital was once again recorded in the ‘very poor’ category.
AQI reaches the ‘very poor’ category
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 364. Due to these dangerous levels of pollution, a thick blanket of smog covered many parts of the capital during the morning hours. Conditions are highly concerning in several areas.
Pollution levels in many parts of the capital are nearing the ‘severe’ category. Slow wind speeds and prevailing weather conditions have caused pollutants to remain trapped in the lower atmosphere, with little prospect of immediate improvement. Health experts have advised children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory ailments to exercise caution if they venture outdoors during the morning hours.
AQI recorded at 364 at 9:00 AM
As per CPCB data, Delhi’s AQI was recorded at 364 (‘very poor’ category) at 9:00 AM on Saturday. Previously, the 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 382 at 4:00 PM on Friday. According to the ‘Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi,’ there is a strong possibility that the AQI will reach the ‘severe’ category (401–500) later today.
Conditions critical at 18 monitoring stations
Out of Delhi’s 59 air quality monitoring stations, 18 recorded air quality levels in the ‘severe’ category on Saturday morning. According to CPCB standards, an AQI between 0–50 is considered ‘good’, 51–100 ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 ‘moderate’, 201–300 ‘poor’, 301–400 ‘very poor’, and 401–500 ‘severe’.
Drop in minimum temperature; skies to remain clear
Along with pollution, the onset of winter is also being felt in Delhi. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a minimum temperature of 16.2°C was recorded at Safdarjung—Delhi’s representative weather station—which is 1.9°C below normal and 1°C lower than Friday’s reading. The IMD has forecast that the skies will remain mostly clear over the next few days.
