‘Very poor’ Delhi air may improve from Sunday

New Delhi : The air quality in the national capital continues to remain in the ‘very poor’ category as on Saturday the air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 361, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).

According to authorities, the air quality is expected to improve from Sunday onward but will remain in “poor to moderate” category owing to relatively strong wind likely from Northwest direction.

“The effective farm fire count has reduced to 1,077 and its contribution to Delhi’s PM2.5 is 3 per cent on Saturday.” as per the agency.

The concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 stood at 185 in the ‘very poor’ and 302 in the ‘poor’ category respectively around 11 am. Particulate Matter2.5 is more dangerous for our health than PM10.

In some areas of the national capital the air quality index was recorded in the “severe” category.

Ashok Vihar’s AQI was 400, Jahangirpuri 429, Narela 400, Punjabi Bagh 402, Rohini 406, and Vivek Vihar 413.

According to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board the AQI in the NCR town Faridabad was 333, Ghaziabad (351), Gurugram (338) and Noida (411) — all in ‘very poor’ category.

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.

The Delhi government has banned construction and demolition activities in the city till Sunday. It has also ordered its employees to work from home till Sunday.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Delhi the sky will remain generally cloudy and there is possibility of light rain or drizzle.

On Saturday, the city recorded a minimum temperature of 14 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature recorded was 25.9 degrees Celsius.

“The relative humidity at 8.30 am stood at 85 per cent, visibility was down,” IMD said.

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