Foul Delhi air likely to improve 'sharply' by Saturday

Gallery

MORE...

Sports

Hockey India names Amir Ali-led 20-man team for Junior Asia Cup

Hockey India on Monday announced the 20-member squad for the Men's Junior Asia Cup, a qual

Harmanpreet Singh named FIH Player of the Year, PR Sreejesh gets best goalkeeper award

World Boxing medallist Gaurav Bidhuri to flag off 'Delhi Against Drugs' movement on Nov 17

U23 World Wrestling Championship: Chirag Chikkara wins gold as India end campaign with nine medals

FIFA president Infantino confirms at least 9 African teams for the 2026 World Cup

Hockey, cricket, wrestling, badminton, squash axed from 2026 CWG in Glasgow

MORE...

Foul Delhi air likely to improve 'sharply' by Saturday

Last Updated : 05 Mar 2021 01:44:51 PM IST

The air quality of the national capital deteriorated to 'poor' category on Friday, but will improve sharply by Saturday as heavy surface wind is expected, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Delhi's air quality index (AQI) stood at 263 micrograms per cubic meter. AQI within the limit of 0-5 is regarded as good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor and 401-500 is considered severe.

The concentration of ultra-fine PM2.5 particulates is 268 while PM10 is 112. Normal level of PM2.5 should be 60 micrograms cubic meter and PM10 level should be 100 microgram cubic meter.

Out of 39 pollution monitoring stations in the capital city, the one in Narela recorded the highest AQI at 341, followed by Mundka at 328, Dwarka at 317, Bawana at 316 and Vivek Vihar at 309 microgram per cubic meter.

"Overall Delhi air quality is in poor category. Surface winds are high and forecast to increase. AQI is forecast to sharply improve to moderate category by tomorrow," stated Ministry's System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research on Friday.

The air quality is likely to further improve and remain in the moderate to satisfactory category for March 7 and marginally deteriorate to moderate to poor category on March 8, the SAFAR said.

The officials have advised sensitive people to consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion and take it easy if symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath occurs.

Residents of Delhi's neighbouring regions -- Ghaziabad, Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad and Greater Noida are also breathing poor quality of air. Ghaziabad has the worst air quality amongst all at 287 microgram per cubic meter.