Air pollution in Delhi eases slightly; AQI improves to ‘poor’
Surface winds helped bring the AQI down to 220 from previous severe levels, though experts warn the relief in the capital may be short-lived
Delhi saw a brief respite from elevated pollution levels on Thursday (December 25) morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 220 in the 'poor' category.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) Sameer app, 29 monitoring stations in the capital recorded air quality in the 'poor' category.
Anand Vihar recorded AQI in the 'very poor' category at 308, while the remaining stations were in the 'moderate' range.
AQI categories
As per the CPCB classification, 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 401 to 500 'severe'.
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The 24-hour average AQI in the capital stood in the 'poor' category on Wednesday (December 24) as well. It marked a sharp improvement from Tuesday, when the AQI had deteriorated to 412 in the 'severe' category at 4 pm, the CPCB data showed.
Improved air quality
Favourable meteorological conditions, particularly surface wind speeds of 15 to 25 kilometres per hour, helped improve air quality in the capital, the CPCB noted, adding that the relief was expected to be short-lived, with air quality likely to worsen again in the coming days.
Also Read: Delhi air quality improves slightly, remains in 'very poor' category
On the weather front, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 6.5 degrees Celsius, one notch below normal, and a relative humidity of 63 per cent, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The expected maximum temperature is 22 degrees Celsius, and a moderate temperature is forecast.