Delhi’s deteriorating air quality is now clubbed with plummeting temperatures as a cold wave grips the national capital.
The air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 323 at 9 a.m. on Friday by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), falling in the ‘very poor’ category.
At least 30 stations across the city reported ‘very poor’ levels, with Bawana recording the highest AQI at 373.
On Sunday, the city’s AQI fell to 279, which brought little respite after slipping back to a high of 304 on Monday. It rose further to 372 on Tuesday, edging towards the ‘severe’ mark, but stood at 342 on Wednesday. It then again turned ‘very poor’ on Thursday at 304.
According to the CPCB, an AQI between 0 and 50 is classified ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’ and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.
Also Read: Air pollution crisis: Govt to install 305 mist sprayers in Delhi
Meanwhile, temperature also dropped in the Delhi-NCR region with a cold wave having been forecast for the day by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The minimum temperature settled at 5.6 degrees Celsius, which is 3.9 notches below normal, while the relative humidity touched 100 percent.
The maximum temperature is expected to settle around 22 degrees Celsius later in the day.
The Supreme Court is expected to hear a plea on Friday on ways to bring down the AQI in the capital city, even as the Delhi government formed a panel of experts and bureaucrats tasked with brainstorming on solutions to make air in the city breathable and less hazardous.
The government has also announced setting up 305 more water sprayers across nine ‘pollution’ hotspots to help combat high pollution levels.
Follow us
