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Delhi's Air Quality Crisis: Why AQI Nears 'Very Poor' Again

Delhi's air quality is taking a worrying turn for the worse again. The overall AQI has slipped to 285, dangerously close to the 'very poor' category. Several key areas, including Anand Vihar and ITO, are already experiencing 'very poor' air. Meanwhile, residents can expect partly foggy conditions alongside these deteriorating air quality levels.

Key Points: Delhi Air Quality Slips Close to Very Poor Mark Again

  • Ten monitoring stations in Delhi record AQI above 300, entering 'very poor' territory
  • The city's overall AQI slips to 285, just below the 'very poor' threshold
  • Daytime winds provided brief relief, ending a nine-day streak of 'very poor' air
  • IMD forecasts steady temperatures with partly foggy conditions for Thursday
2 min read

Delhi's air quality slips further, edges close to 'very poor' mark again

Delhi's AQI deteriorates to 285, with key stations already in the 'very poor' zone. Get the latest CPCB data and IMD weather forecast.

"At least ten monitoring stations across the city registered AQI levels above 300, placing them in the very poor range. - CPCB Data"

New Delhi, Dec 11

Delhi's air quality remained lodged in the poor category for the third straight day on Thursday morning, though the overall air quality index (AQI) slipped further to 285, just below the 301 threshold that pushes conditions into the very poor bracket, data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed.

As of 7 a.m., at least ten monitoring stations across the city registered AQI levels above 300, placing them in the very poor range.

At Anand Vihar, the AQI stood at 300, Ashok Vihar 328, Chandni Chowk 305, and ITO 309.

Noida's overall AQI was recorded at 294 (Poor), and sector-wise AQI ranged from 246 to 331, while Greater Noida's Knowledge Parks 3 and 5 recorded AQI levels of 235 and 331, respectively.

The city's 24-hour average AQI on Wednesday stood at 259, showing a slight improvement from Tuesday's reading of 282. After nine consecutive days of air quality dipping into the very poor zone, the capital recorded some relief on Tuesday, and due to stronger daytime winds on Wednesday, conditions managed to remain within the poor category for the second day in a row.

CPCB classifications state that an AQI between 0 and 50 is tagged as good, 51–100 satisfactory, 101–200 moderate, 201–300 poor, 301–400 very poor, and 401–500 severe.

Alongside air quality fluctuations, temperatures in the city also showed a mild dip. Delhi recorded a minimum of 10 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, around 0.4 degrees below the seasonal average, while the day's maximum settled at 25.2 degrees Celsius, also about 0.4 degrees below normal.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that minimum temperatures across northwest India, including Delhi and its adjoining NCR cities such as Noida, Gurugram and Faridabad, are likely to remain steady for the next two days before rising by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the following three days and stabilising afterwards.

For Thursday, the IMD has predicted partly foggy conditions, with the minimum temperature expected to hover near 8 degrees Celsius and the maximum around 24 degrees Celsius.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Living in Ashok Vihar where AQI is 328... it's like a visible haze outside. The air purifier is running 24/7 but it's a band-aid solution. When will we see real political will to solve this? Our taxes should guarantee clean air.
A
Aman W
The article mentions stronger winds helped. This is the real issue - we are completely at the mercy of the weather. One good wind day and we celebrate 'improvement'. The base level pollution from vehicles and industry needs to be tackled head-on.
S
Sarah B
As an expat living in Noida, this is the biggest challenge. The data is scary, but seeing people commute on bikes without masks is scarier. There needs to be more public awareness alongside policy changes. Stay safe, everyone.
V
Vikram M
It's a complex problem with multiple stakeholders - Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, UP. Blaming farmers alone isn't fair. We need a sustainable, cooperative solution and investment in alternatives for crop residue management. Jai Kisan, but also Jai Swasthya.
K
Kavya N
The slight dip in temperature is no relief when the air is poison. My mother's asthma has worsened. We've invested in air purifiers and masks, but this is not a life. Authorities must treat this with the urgency of a national health emergency.

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