Delhi's air quality took a turn for the worse on Tuesday morning, slipping back into the 'very poor' category with an AQI of 340. This marks a setback for the city, which had briefly enjoyed a respite from the prolonged pollution spell that has plagued it this winter. After 24 days of 'very poor' air, often reaching the 'severe' zone, Delhi's AQI improved to 'poor' on Sunday, with a reading of 279. However, the relief was short-lived, as the air quality deteriorated again by Tuesday morning.
The area around the Akshardham Temple, known for its stunning architecture, was particularly affected, with an AQI of 383, classified as 'very poor'. In some areas, the AQI was even closer to the 'severe' category, with the Ghazipur area recording an AQI of 383, shrouded in a toxic smog. Other areas like India Gate, Kartavya Path, and ITO also reported air quality levels that were close to the 'severe' threshold.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) categorizes air quality as 'poor' when the AQI is between 201 and 300, 'very poor' between 301 and 400, and 'severe' between 401 and 500. Before Sunday, the last time Delhi's AQI was in the 'poor' category this season was on November 5, with a reading of 202. The trend continued on Monday, with an AQI of 382, following a week-long pattern of increasing pollution.
Interestingly, the Sameer app, developed by the CPCB, indicated that no monitoring station in Delhi recorded 'severe' air quality on Monday, a contrast to the eight stations that fell into the 'severe' zone on Friday. November's average AQI was 357, which is in the 'very poor' range but slightly better than the previous years' averages of 374 in 2024 and 366 in 2023. The city experienced no 'good', 'satisfactory', or 'moderate' air quality days last month, with three 'poor', 24 'very poor', and three 'severe' days recorded.
This situation highlights the ongoing battle against air pollution in Delhi, and the need for sustained efforts to improve air quality. The data emphasizes the importance of monitoring and addressing pollution sources to ensure the health and well-being of the city's residents.
