Delhi schools reopen as overall air quality improves slightly today

New Delhi: The schools in Delhi reopened on Monday as the overall air quality in the national capital improved slightly. The Delhi government had imposed a ban on construction and demolition activities following Supreme Court`s directions. In view of an improvement in the air quality, the ban on construction and demolition activities was lifted on November 22.

However, the ban on the entry of trucks, barring those engaged in essential services, has been extended till November 30. However, all schools in the national capital will reopen from today for all classes.

Delhi | Schools in the national capital have reopened today as overall air quality improves slightly pic.twitter.com/2lrWCsh7YP — ANI (@ANI) November 29, 2021

The air quality in the morning remained in the "very poor" category with overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 370, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).

The PM10 was recorded at 353 in the `very poor` category and PM 2.5 was recorded at 211 in the `very poor` category at 7:53 am. The AQI in Mathura Road (406) and Delhi University area (416) was recorded in the `severe` category.

Gurugram and Noida recorded AQI of 369 and 391 respectively both in the `very poor` categories. An AQI between zero 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`.

As per SAFAR, from December 1 wind speed and temperature are likely to decrease reducing ventilation leading to the slight deterioration of air quality.

"The AQI today indicates `very poor` air quality. Local surface winds are likely to increase moderately on the 29th and 30th that increases the dispersion of pollutants leading to slight improvement but AQI remains in the `very poor` category. Low mixing layer height is preventing efficient dispersion of pollutants. The share of stubble burning related pollutants in Delhi`s PM2.5 is 3 per cent," SAFAR said in its bulletin.

As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi today recorded a minimum temperature of 11 degrees Celsius (°C), while the maximum temperature recorded was 27 degrees Celsius (°C).