On Wednesday, Delhi’s air quality lowered to the “very poor” category as pollutants accumulated due to low temperatures and slow surface winds.
The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi was 361.
A minimum temperature of 9.2 degrees Celsius was recorded in Delhi, which is so far this season’s lowest, at 28.8 degrees Celsius, the maximum temperature settled, according to the India Meteorological Department.
An improvement in the air quality was seen due to the strong winds on Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday, the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was 290, which is the second-best Air Quality Index (AQI) reading since November 1 this month when it was 281.
For the rest of the days of the month, the air quality was either ‘very poor’ or ‘severe’ in Delhi.
On Wednesday, a dip in air quality was also seen in Ghaziabad (366), Gurgaon (305), Faridabad (367), and Greater Noida (312).
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in between zero and 50 is considered to be good, from 51 to 100 it is considered to be ‘satisfactory,’ between 101 to 200 it is considered to be ‘moderate,’ from 201 to 300 it is considered ‘poor,’ between 301 to 400 it is considered ‘very poor, and from 401 to 500 it is considered to be ‘severe.’
For the next three days, the slow local surface winds will reduce the dispersions of pollutants, which would lead to deterioration in air quality, said the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the air quality monitor of the Ministry of Earth Science.
From November 27, a slight improvement is likely to be seen with an increase in local surface wind.
SAFAR said that with the onset of winter, a dominating factor in determining the air quality is likely to be the local weather.
On Wednesday, the Delhi Government decided to resume physical classes in colleges, schools, and other educational institutions and to reopen government offices from November 29, even as the air quality of Delhi has turned ‘very poor’ again.
Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the ban on entries of trucks except those engaged in essential services would continue till December 3; however, from November 27, the CNG and Electric Vehicles will be allowed to enter Delhi.
The statement came after Environment Minister Gopal Rai’s meeting regarding reviewing the curbs to tackle air pollution in Delhi.