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Delhi’s air quality slips back to 'very poor' category, AQI stands at 316

"The air quality is likely to deteriorate and remain in upper end of Very Poor category but improve after December 26," IMD said.

Delhi’s air quality slips back to 'very poor' category, AQI stands at 316 Representational Image

New Delhi: Delhi’s air quality slipped back to `very poor` quality on Tuesday (December 21, 2021) with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 316, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). 

This comes as the city is experiencing a cold wave and residents woke up to fog and mist.

As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the air quality over Delhi-National Capital Territory (NCT) is likely to remain in the upper end of the `Very Poor` category till Christmas, owing to slow/calm winds and poor ventilation conditions but is predicted to improve after that.

"The air quality is likely to deteriorate and remain in upper end of Very Poor category but improve after December 26," IMD said.

"The predominant surface wind is likely to remain calm in Delhi with mainly clear sky and shallow fog in the morning today. The predominant surface wind is likely to remain calm in Delhi with partly cloudy sky and shallow fog in the morning tomorrow," it added. 

On the other hand, the air quality of Mumbai and Pune cities were also recorded to be in 'poor' category today. 

As per the government agencies, 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`.

Earlier, on Monday, Delhi’s witnessed a slight improvement in air quality as it remained in the `poor` category for the second consecutive day with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 290.

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Monday lifted the restrictions on construction and demolition activities in Delhi-NCR and the entry of trucks in the national capital in view of an improvement in air quality and favourable meteorological forecast.

Meanwhile, Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday said the Delhi government has issued directions allowing the resumption of construction and demolition activities and the entry of trucks into the national capital.

He asked construction agencies to comply with the 14-point guidelines to prevent dust pollution at their sites and said strict action will be taken in case of any violation.

"We have allowed construction and demolition activities from today (Monday)... However, I appeal to all agencies engaged in such work not to be complacent or take undue advantage of the permission," Rai told reporters.

(With agency inputs)

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