New Delhi, December 3: The Air pollution in Delhi-NCR continues to remain at hazardous levels. The air quality index in the capital was 342 on Wednesday evening, which falls in the very poor category. This situation has arisen due to the drop in temperature and slow wind speed.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality was worst in South Delhi’s Nehru Nagar, where the index was recorded at 436. Mundka recorded 391, Bawana 401, Jahangirpuri 405, Wazirpur 402, Rohini 418 and DTU 383. Anand Vihar recorded 402 and Punjabi Bagh 381, which fall in the very poor to severe category.
Various cities in Delhi-NCR were also severely affected by pollution. Ghaziabad and Greater Noida recorded an air quality index of 324, Hapur 363, and Charkhi Dadri 303. Air quality remained very poor in all cities.
The weather is expected to be cold and partly cloudy from the evening of December 3 to December 6. Light fog will prevail on the first day. The maximum temperature will be around 23 to 25 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature will be around 05 to 07 degrees Celsius. Winds will blow from the northwest at a speed of 10 to 15 kilometers per hour.
On Thursday, December 4, the day will be mostly clear, with light fog in the morning and a cold wave in some places. The maximum temperature will be between 22 and 24 degrees Celsius and the minimum between 05 and 07 degrees Celsius. On December 5, it will be partly cloudy, with a maximum temperature of 22 to 24 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 04 to 06 degrees Celsius. Winds will blow at a speed of 10 to 15 kilometers per hour during the day and night. On December 6, there will be partly cloudy skies and light fog in the morning. The maximum temperature is expected to be between 23 and 25 degrees Celsius, and the minimum between 7 and 9 degrees Celsius. Winds will blow at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour during the day and 10 kilometers per hour in the evening and night.
According to CPCB standards, an AQI between 0 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.”
It is noteworthy that vehicles contribute 20.45 percent to total air pollution in Delhi. Stubble burning contributes 1.97 percent, construction and demolition activities contribute 3.10 percent, and residential areas contribute 5.30 percent.