Delhi's air quality deteriorates, slips to 'very poor' category
Delhi's air quality deteriorated again today and slipped into very poor category due to local pollutants as authorities predicted further increase in pollution level. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR), the overall air quality index (AQI) of Delhi was 322, which fell in the very poor category. At present, there is "insignificant intrusion from outside of Delhi," stated SAFAR.
There is insignificant intrusion from outside of Delhi today
The SAFAR had last week forecast that the air quality of Delhi is expected to "significantly deteriorate" Sunday due to a decline in temperature which might lead to entrapment of pollutants. However, even after "significant deterioration" the air quality is likely to stay in the very poor level, it had said. According to SAFAR, there is an insignificant intrusion from outside of Delhi.
Air Quality Index: Know the different levels of AQI
An Air Quality Index (AQI) between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 is considered moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 is considered to be severe.
Vehicular emissions contribute to 40% pollution in Delhi: SAFAR
According to the SAFAR, it's an ideal time to ascertain the impact of local emissions on the pollution level of Delhi. The local emissions include pollution from vehicles, construction activities and garbage burning among others. Earlier, authorities had said that vehicular emissions contribute to 40% pollution in Delhi. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said 14 areas of Delhi recorded very poor air quality.
In NCR, Ghaziabad recorded 'very poor' air quality
Meanwhile, in 14 areas of the national capital, air quality was recorded in the poor category, said CPCB. The PM2.5 (fine particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers) level was recorded at 155 and the PM10 level at 328, it added. Ghaziabad recorded very poor air quality, Faridabad poor air quality, and Gurugram recorded moderate air quality, the CPCB data showed.
Delhi's air-quality in 'very poor' category for past one week
Delhi's air quality has been in the very poor category for the past one week but yesterday it had improved to the poor category for a brief period of time. It again slipped into very poor category today, the authorities said.
