Delhi's air quality remains poor for second consecutive day
What's the story
Delhi's air quality remained poor for the second day due to change in wind direction, which is now flowing from the stubble burning areas, authorities said today.
The overall air quality index (AQI) of 245 was recorded at 10 am today, which comes under the "poor" category.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Delhi's AQI was registered at 259 yesterday.
Details
Air quality declining due to crop burning in Haryana, Punjab
The drop in air quality is due to change in direction of the wind, which is now flowing from Haryana and Punjab where stubble burning takes place, explained a CPCB official.
Earlier, it was predicted that a dust storm will hit Delhi which would further deteriorate air quality, but, currently, there are no indications, said an Environment Pollution Control Authority official.
Information
Ghaziabad, Gurugram too recorded 'very poor' air quality
Authorities are however closely monitoring the situation. Not just Delhi, Ghaziabad and Gurugram too recorded "very poor" air quality at 302 and 336 respectively. An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor, and 401-500 severe.
Factors
Low-pressure system in Arabian Sea calming wind speed
A SAFAR official, elaborating on the issue, said, "This is the period of monsoon withdrawals and a low-pressure system in the Arabian Sea is developing. Such large-scale processes tend to calm the wind speed."
"This tends to increase pollution level. The impact of local transport is insignificant so far," added Gufran Beig, Project Director, System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).
Data
Particulate matter levels in Delhi
SAFAR, through a data, told PM10 level (presence of particles with the diameter less than 10 micrometers) was at 208 in Delhi and the PM 2.5 level (presence of particles with the diameter less than 2.5 micrometers) in the city was 104.