The air quality index (AQI) in New Delhi, India, was categorized as ‘very poor’ on Saturday, with an average AQI of 398. The AQI had remained in the ‘severe’ category for three consecutive days and only showed marginal improvement as it transitioned to the ‘very poor’ category.
According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the average AQI in the national capital at 6 am on Saturday was 398. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data recorded at 6 am indicated AQI values of 396 in RK Puram, 465 in the IGI Airport area, 416 in Nehru Nagar, and 350 in New Moti Bagh, with most falling into the ‘very poor’ category.
The 24-hour average AQI for Delhi, recorded at 4 pm daily, was 405 on Friday. Previous readings were 419 on Thursday, 401 on Wednesday, 397 on Tuesday, 358 on Monday, and 218 on Sunday.
The air quality index categorizes readings between zero and 50 as good, 51 and 100 as satisfactory, 101 and 200 as moderate, 201 and 300 as poor, 301 and 400 as very poor, 401 and 450 as severe, and above 450 as severe plus.
Simultaneously, temperatures in the national capital have begun to drop, reaching 12 degrees Celsius on Friday. The National Green Tribunal issued a stern directive to Delhi-NCR authorities to enforce stringent measures to improve the air quality index, responding to the lack of significant improvement following remedial actions in various states. The tribunal called for a reassessment of strategies, with a report on fresh actions expected on November 20.
The Delhi Air Quality Early Warning System forecasted that air quality is likely to remain ‘very poor’ from November 18 to November 20. According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology’s Decision Support System, stubble burning contributed 3.45% less to PM2.5 levels on Friday compared to the previous day.
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