The national capital remained reeling under dense smog and cold weather conditions on Thursday. Air quality continued to remain in the ‘poor’ category in several parts of the national capital despite the reduction in the level of particulate matter. According to the figures released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality recorded a visibility of 200 meters.
As per the readings of CPCB, the Air Quality Index of Delhi was 277, which clearly puts it in the ‘poor’ category.
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Several hotspots slip into ‘very poor’ category
However, overall air quality in the city is still poor; some areas saw a drastic fall in quality. Anand Vihar is among the most affected areas, which recorded an AQI of 324, which comes under the ‘Very Poor’ category. The same is the case with Chandni Chowk, which recorded 320, while Jahangirpuri recorded 327, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium recorded 306, and Nehru Nagar recorded 343.
Conversely, a few regions showed relatively better levels of air quality. These regions include Ashok Nagar, which recorded 296 AQI, which is within the “poor” category. Other regions such as IGI Airport (AQI 207), ITO (AQI 270), and Burari (AQI 231), recorded similar levels.
Understanding AQI levels
As the AQI classification explains, values between 201 and 300 are considered ‘poor’, while readings between 301 and 400 fall under the category ‘very poor’. Anything above 400 is categorised as ‘severe’.
The deteriorating air quality has come with a spell of cold weather in the capital. Delhi recorded its first ‘cold day’ of the season on January 6 when maximum temperatures recorded in locations such as Palam and Lodi Road ranged between 13°C and 16°C, ushering in a sustained spell of winter.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that cold-day conditions are expected to prevail till Friday, thus offering little immediate relief. IMD declares it a ‘cold day’ when the maximum temperature remains 4.5 to 6.4 degrees Celsius below the average for the season.
India Gate is also witnessing the Republic Day rehearsals despite bad weather; security personnel and parade participants were carrying on with their rehearsals for the upcoming national celebrations.
