Delhi Pollution: AQI Slips To ‘Very Poor’ Category, Minimum Temperature To Stay At Around 8°C

Delhi’s air quality once again slipped to ‘very poor’ category on Friday morning, according to the hourly air quality index (AQI) at 9 am stood at 308

The minimum temperature in Delhi was recorded around 8 degrees Celsius.

Source : Representational Image/AFP

Delhi’s air quality once again slipped to the ‘very poor’ category on Friday morning with the hourly air quality index (AQI) at 308 in the morning. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department predicted the highest temperature in the capital city to hover around 26 degrees Celsius today, while the minimum temperature is likely to be around 8 degrees Celsius.

The minimum temperature in the national capital on Thursday was 8.3 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature touched 24.8 degrees Celsius. Delhi recorded an average AQI of 281 on Thursday, marginally lower than 304 on Wednesday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s daily 4 pm bulletin.

On Thursday, Mumbai recorded the Air Quality Index (AQI) of 316, considered to be ‘very poor', higher than Delhi’s AQI at 263 or in the ‘poor’ category. 

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), stagnant winds, drop in temperatures, and suspended pollutants mixing with moisture in the atmosphere are causing haze across the metropolis. 

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’.

According to the early warning system (EWS), used by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR, Delhi’s AQI is likely to remain in the ‘very poor’ category till Sunday.

“Delhi’s air quality is likely to deteriorate but will be in the ‘very poor’ category from December 9-11,” the EWS said on Thursday.

Earlier this week, the CAQM lifted all restrictions under Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) as a result of gradual improvement in air quality. The restrictions were imposed on Sunday when the AQI was ‘severe’, lifting the ban on private construction and demolition activities across NCR.