Despite implementation of emergency plan, air quality in Delhi remains 'very poor' for second day

NEW DELHI: Despite the implementation of the emergency plan, the air quality in Delhi remained "very poor" for the second consecutive day on Thursday, with several areas in the national capital nearing severe levels of pollution.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi was recorded at 315, according to the Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research.

On Wednesday, the AQI was recorded at 315 for the first time in this season.

On Thursday, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 317, Dwarka Sector 8 353, ITO 295, Jahangirpuri 336 and Rohini 344, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

According to the Air Quality Index in Delhi's Lodhi Road, PM 2.5 remained in 'moderate' category at 180 and PM 10 was recorded in 'poor' category at 238.

Air Quality of #Delhi's Lodhi Road area: PM 2.5 remains in 'moderate' category at 180 and PM 10 remains in 'poor' category at 238. pic.twitter.com/9e37Og3MzB — ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2018

The PM10 level (presence of particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres) in Delhi stood at 289 and the PM2.5 level was recorded at 137, as per the CPCB data.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor" and 401 and 500 "severe".

Further deterioration of air quality has been forecast for the coming days with the PM10 level reaching 332 and the PM2.5 level 158.

A CPCB official said a number of factors were responsible for the deteriorating air quality, including vehicular pollution, construction activities and meteorological factors.

Among the meteorological factors, the main reason was the drop and change of wind speed, which was now flowing from the stubble-burning areas, another official said.

The deterioration of air quality comes days after the implementation of an emergency plan to combat air pollution. 

With PTI Inputs