According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a thin layer of fog engulfed the national capital on Saturday morning as cold wave conditions continued, causing the temperature to drop to 5.4 degrees Celsius.
The level of air pollution also increased rapidly. As of 7 am, the overall air quality index (AQI) rose to 361, which falls in the “very poor” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
AQI levels were recorded above 300 in many areas of New Delhi.
Nehru Nagar recorded the highest pollution level of 426, followed by 402 in Dwarka Sector 8 and 390 in RK Puram. AQI was recorded at 400 in Patparganj, while it was 398 in Chandni Chowk. The AQI was 361 in ITO area and 326 near Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Earlier on Friday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the temperature in the national capital dropped to 5 degrees Celsius as cold weather continued and rain lashed parts of the city.
A thick layer of smog remained in many areas, while the air quality across Delhi remained in the ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ category, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
According to the CPCB report, Delhi’s overall air quality index (AQI) stood at 280, which falls in the ‘poor’ category.
A sharp decline in air quality was observed in many areas. Anand Vihar’s AQI was recorded at 385, which places it in the ‘very poor’ category. Other places with high AQI levels include Chandni Chowk (335), Jahangirpuri (340), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (354), ITO (307), Ferozshah Road (307), Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range (360), Dwarka Sector 8 (346), Ashok Vihar (328) and Nehru Nagar (392).
Air quality was relatively better in some parts of the city. The AQI of IGI Airport Terminal 3 stood at 252, which still falls in the ‘poor’ category according to CPCB.
