Delhi air pollution: AQI dips to 'very poor' category again

The air quality remained at the lower end of the very poor category.

Delhi saw a decline in air quality on December 5, as indicated by the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching the 'very poor' category in various areas, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Official data mentioned an AQI of 340 in Anand Vihar, 315 in Ashok Vihar, 307 in ITO Delhi, and 332 in Jahangirpuri.

Despite being categorised as 'poor' on December 4, Delhi has been grappling with fluctuations in air quality, ranging from 'severe' to 'very poor' in recent days. There has been a slight improvement following light rainfall.

The national capital on December 4 recorded a 24-hour AQI reading of 310 at 4 pm. Also, the minimum temperature settled at 14.6 degrees Celsius, marking a deviation of five notches above the season's average.

Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai noted the lifting of GRAP-3 but emphasised the government's commitment to rigorously enforce GRAP-1 and 2.

The AQI scale categorises air quality into different levels. A range of 0 to 50 is labelled as 'good,' 51 to 100 is 'satisfactory,' 101 to 200 is 'moderate,' 201 to 300 is 'poor,' 301 to 400 is 'very poor,' and 401 to 500 is classified as 'severe.'

Cold conditions, meanwhile, are increasing in Delhi-NCR as per the current weather situation. The Meteorological Department predicts overcast skies with a chance of light rain or drizzle until midnight. Dense fog is expected to linger until December 9, particularly affecting various areas in Delhi during both morning and evening hours, leading to reduced visibility.