AirQuality – Delhi’s AQI Climbs to Poor Category Amid Smog
AirQuality – The national capital woke up to deteriorating air quality on Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index rising to 267, placing the city firmly in the ‘poor’ category, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board. The increase marks a noticeable jump from Monday’s reading of 206, which was also classified as poor.
Smog Blanket Across Key Areas
A visible layer of smog settled over several parts of Delhi in the early hours, limiting visibility and prompting renewed concerns among residents. People with respiratory conditions and other health vulnerabilities are likely to feel the impact more acutely as pollution levels climb.
Data from monitoring stations across the city showed significant variations. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 317, while Bawana stood at 333. Chandni Chowk reported 280, and Dwarka Sector 8 measured 252. At IGI Airport’s Terminal 3, the AQI was relatively lower at 192.
Other major locations also registered elevated pollution levels. ITO reported 277, Narela 344, Punjabi Bagh 277, and RK Puram 296. Wazirpur recorded 339, and Rohini reported 335, both entering the very poor category.
Prominent Landmarks See Rising Pollution
Areas surrounding India Gate and Kartavya Path recorded an AQI of 277, while the monitoring station near AIIMS showed a reading of 296. The Akshardham Temple area recorded 317, categorised as very poor, underscoring the widespread nature of the pollution spike across both residential and central districts.
The Air Quality Index scale provides a standard way to measure pollution levels. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 to 100 satisfactory, 101 to 200 moderate, 201 to 300 poor, 301 to 400 very poor, and any reading between 401 and 500 is deemed severe. Delhi’s current figures indicate air that can cause discomfort for many, particularly those with pre-existing health conditions.
Temperature and Weather Conditions
Alongside worsening air quality, temperatures have dipped further. The India Meteorological Department reported that the minimum temperature on Tuesday hovered around 10.4 degrees Celsius. On Sunday morning, the mercury had touched 10 degrees Celsius at around 7 am.
Weather conditions have also played a role in trapping pollutants closer to the ground. Misty conditions were observed over the weekend, with humidity levels reaching 97 percent. Winds remained calm at 0 km per hour, limiting the natural dispersion of pollutants and contributing to the build-up of smog.
Earlier Readings Show Continuing Pattern
Pollution levels in several neighbourhoods had already been elevated in previous days. Mundka recorded an AQI of 276, while Shadipur stood at 282 and Nehru Nagar at 269. Rohini measured 255, Bawana 256, and Jahangirpuri 252. Wazirpur and Ashok Vihar registered 251 and 243 respectively, while Narela reported 229. Vivek Vihar, Pusa, Sirifort, and Chandni Chowk also remained in the poor range.
However, not all parts of the city experienced equally severe conditions. Sri Aurobindo Marg recorded a comparatively lower AQI of 129. Lodhi Road measured 139, Major Dhyan Chand Stadium 144, Mandir Marg 148, IIT Delhi 149, Aya Nagar 165, and IGI Airport 177. These areas fell within the moderate category, offering relatively better air quality compared to the city’s pollution hotspots.
With winter setting in and calm winds persisting, experts indicate that pollution levels could fluctuate depending on meteorological conditions in the coming days. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as residents brace for continued exposure to poor air quality.