Air pollution in Delhi is again in focus ahead of the winter. The level of air pollution in multiple areas in Delhi continues to be in the 'very poor' category. On Friday, the pollution levels in several regions of the national capital were in the 'hazardous' category, as per air quality monitor AQICN. The AQI (AQI) was recorded highest in ITI Jahangirpuri and Mundka. The AQI in both places was 467 and 445 respectively.
According to the Air Quality Early Warning and Decision Support System for Delhi, the AQI in Delhi was recorded to be at 293 at 7 AM in Delhi. The levels of poor pollution in various areas in Delhi were worrying at 7 AM on Friday. Check out the table below for the AQI from various AQI monitoring stations in the national capital.
| Station | AQI |
| Jahangirpuri | 354 |
| NSIT Dwarka | 280 |
| Mundka | 357 |
| Dwarka Sector 8 | 324 |
| Najafgarh | 280 |
| Nehru Nagar | 289 |
| DU North Campus | 298 |
| Okhla Phase 2 | 291 |
| Patparganj | 344 |
| Punjabi Bagh | 312 |
| Rohini | 362 |
| Sonia Vihar | 294 |
| Vivek Vihar | 327 |
| Alipur | 304 |
| Shadipur | 337 |
| Anand Vihar | 339 |
| Ashok Vihar | 297 |
| Bawana | 329 |
| Burari Crossing | 339 |
| DTU | 290 |
As per AQICN, which monitors global pollution levels, the AQI in Mundka was 510 and in Wazirpur was 470. With the onset of winter close and the approaching Diwali celebrations, the situation is dire. The United Nations states: "An AQI of 50 or below is considered safe, while readings above 100 are deemed unhealthy."
Every year, the 'dangerous' levels of PM 2.5 levels in the air, especially after Diwali, lead to a rise in the number of patients with respiratory illnesses. Apart from breathing difficulties, people experience burning eyes, heart ailments, skin allergies, sore throat, and a host of other problems.
The World Health Organization says that exposure to PM 2.5 over 24 hours must not be more than 15 micrograms per cubic metre. However, many areas in Delhi record AQI 30 times more than the acceptable level.
The average air quality in Delhi has remained in the 'poor' category for the fourth consecutive day and the 24-hour average 'reading' was recorded at 285 at 4 pm on Thursday.
Weather In Delhi
According to the Meteorological Department, the weather will remain clear in Delhi from October 18 to 23. The maximum temperature is likely to be around 35°C (+3) and the minimum temperature is likely to be around 20°C (+1) on Friday. The skies are expected to be clear with no chance of rain in sight, according to the India Meteorological Department.
The relative humidity on Thursday remained between 91 per cent and 55 per cent, while the minimum temperature was 20.3 degrees Celsius, which is one degree Celsius above the average for the season.
It is worth noting that AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 is considered 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 is considered 'moderate', 201 to 300 is considered 'poor', 301 to 400 is considered 'very poor' and 401 to 500 is considered 'severe'.