Delhi air pollution: AQI likely to be ‘poor’ on Sunday

NEW DELHI: The air quality on Saturday deteriorated and the AQI reading touched 193 in the ‘moderate’ category after a ‘satisfactory’ 84 on Friday.
The AQI is likely to be in the ‘poor’ level on Sunday. However, good wind speed will help keep the pollution in check. The city’s AQI has been gradually improving over the past four days, and for the first time touched ‘satisfactory’ level on Friday since September 30.
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According to CPCB’s central control room, Delhi-NCR average PM 2.5 level over 24 hours was around 46 micrograms per cubic metre at 8pm on Friday, while on Saturday it touched 86 micrograms.Similarly, average PM 10 level was 87 micrograms per cubic metre at 8pm on Friday and 145 micrograms on Saturday.
According to met officials, Delhi is likely to see a spell of moderate to dense fog on Sunday, which will lead to further deterioration in the air quality.
The official said that wind speeds were expected to remain high for the next 2-3 days, which would not allow a sharp deterioration. “While the fog will see air quality deteriorate at night and early morning, things will improve during the day,” the official added. The 3-day early warning system for Delhi also shows that similar conditions will occur on Sunday as on Saturday, with ventilation index ‘improving’ slightly — allowing the pollutants to disperse freely.
Delhi’s maximum temperature on Saturday was 22.8 degrees Celsius — three degrees below normal. The minimum was 12° Celsius. According to IMD, the minimum is expected to fall to around 10 degrees by Sunday and 9 degrees by Monday. “Cold winds are blowing and strong surface winds are expected in the next 2-3 days, which will see a drop in temperature. The fog density could reduce by Monday,” said a met official.