The air pollution situation has once again deteriorated in the national capital. The air quality on Tuesday morning again fell to ‘very poor’ category with AQI touching 321, according to the latest estimates updated by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). PM2.5 remains the lead pollutant.
As the air quality deteriorates in the national capital, the pollution level has increased. A thick layer of smog was observed in several areas.
In several areas, such as Delhi University, Pusa, Lodhi Road, Mathura Road, and Indira Gandhi International Airport (Terminal 3), the air quality is in the ‘very poor’ category with an AQI of 340, 316, 349, 324, and 309 respectively.
Meanwhile, the AQI near IIT-Delhi was 293. As per the prediction by SAFAR, with the rainfall predicted on February 3, the air quality is likely to improve in Delhi.
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According to a statement by SAFAR, air quality gradually degrades as the rate of accumulation of pollutants is likely to be more than that of ventilation.
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”. AQI in the “poor” category leads to breathing discomfort for most people on prolonged exposure.
The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research said the air quality is likely to be in the “poor” category for the next three days as the weather conditions are unlikely to change significantly. “On 3rd [Thursday], rainfall is likely to occur with a gusty wind that is expected to improve AQI to ‘moderate’ or ‘lower end of poor’ through wet deposition and strong dispersion. From 4th [Friday] onwards air quality gradually degrades as the rate of accumulation of pollutants is likely to more than that of ventilation.”
(With inputs from agencies)
