Delhi's air quality remains 'very poor' with AQI at 381, city wakes up to cold morning

The air quality of the national capital was recorded in the “very poor” category today.

Representational Image (Credits: PTI)

New Delhi: The national capital's air quality was recorded in the "very poor" category as the Ministry of Earth Sciences' System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) noted an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 381 on Monday (January 3, 2021).

Delhi | Air Quality Index (AQI) is presently at 381 (overall) in the 'very poor' category, as per System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR)-India

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2022

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". 

Meanwhile, the national capital is currently reeling under cold wave conditions. As per the India Meteorological Department, New Delhi witnessed 7 degrees Celsius at 5:30 am on Monday.

The minimum temperature in New Delhi for this week is likely to remain below 10 degrees Celsius, says IMD. IMD has also forecasted that the national capital will witness Light rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday.

Earlier, on Sunday, Delhiites woke up to a cold morning as the minimum temperature settled at 5 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

On Monday, Delhi airport authorities said, "low visibility procedures are in progress at Delhi airport. All flight operations are presently normal."

Low visibility procedures are in progress at Delhi airport. All flight operations are presently normal: Delhi airport — ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2022

The IMD has forecast cold to severe cold wave conditions in northwest India till January 3.

A "severe" cold wave is when the minimum temperature dips to 2 degrees Celsius or the departure from normal is more than 6.4 degrees Celsius.