AQI improves in Delhi, slips to poor category at 234
According to the Decision Support System (DSS) for Air Quality Management, vehicular emissions were the largest contributor to pollution on Wednesday, accounting for 18.5 per cent of the total load. This was followed by industries in Delhi and adjoining areas (9.5 per cent), construction activities (2.5 per cent) and waste burning (1.6 per cent).
New Delhi: Delhi's air quality improved for the second consecutive day on Thursday, with the city recording a 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 234, placing it in the 'poor' category, though authorities warned that pollution levels are likely to deteriorate in the coming days.
The AQI at 4 pm stood at 234, down from 271 at the same time on Wednesday and a sharp improvement from the 'severe' level of 412 recorded on Tuesday, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Of the 40 functional air quality monitoring stations across the capital, 10 recorded 'moderate' air quality with AQI levels below 200, including Lodhi Road, IIT Delhi, Indira Gandhi International Airport and Aya Nagar. Twenty-seven stations remained in the 'poor' category, while two—Jahangirpuri and Bawana—reported 'very poor' air quality with AQI readings above 300.
What is adding to Delhi's pollution load
Despite the improvement, transport emissions and pollution from neighbouring cities continued to significantly add to Delhi's pollution load, official data showed.
According to the Decision Support System (DSS) for Air Quality Management, vehicular emissions were the largest contributor to pollution on Wednesday, accounting for 18.5 per cent of the total load. This was followed by industries in Delhi and adjoining areas (9.5 per cent), construction activities (2.5 per cent) and waste burning (1.6 per cent).
Among NCR districts, Jhajjar in Haryana contributed the highest share to Delhi's pollution at 17.6 per cent, followed by Rohtak (5.9 per cent) and Sonipat (3.1 per cent).
AQI likely to slip into 'very poor' category again
The Air Quality Early Warning System said surface winds were predominantly from the northwest, with speeds reaching up to 10 kmph during afternoon hours on Thursday.
However, the CPCB forecast that air quality is likely to slip into the 'very poor' category in the coming days.
On the weather front, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 22.6 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, 1.9 degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 6.5 degrees Celsius, slightly below normal. Relative humidity stood at 63 per cent at 8.30 am and 84 per cent at 5.30 pm.