Delhi-NCR Records Marginal Improvement in Air Quality Due to Increase in Wind Speed

A marginal improvement was recorded in the air quality in the Delhi-NCR on Saturday, stated news agency PTI.

New Delhi: The air quality in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR) on Saturday showed a marginal improvement after a slight increase in wind speed, stated a report. The overall air quality index (AQI) in Delhi came down from 360 on Friday to 312 at 4 PM on Saturday, according to news agency PTI.

However, most of the 37 air quality monitoring stations in Delhi recorded an AQI under the “very poor” category. The most polluted area was the Nehru Nagar with an AQI of 351, while Dilshad Garden with 213 AQI was the least polluted. Some of the other neighbouring areas which recorded a slight dip in the pollution levels include Ghaziabad (347), Greater Noida (336), Gurgaon (278), Faridabad (280) and Noida (322), added the report.

Meanwhile, the weather experts predicted the air quality to improve further on Sunday due to the presence of moderate winds in the region. However, with the western disturbance in place, the speed of the winds will decrease and the pollution levels are likely to increase from Monday onwards. “The system would restrict the flow of winds over Delhi-NCR, which will lead to accumulation of pollutants,” stated private forecaster Skymet Weather, as quoted by news agency PTI, adding, “There are chances of good rain on November 25 and 26. If that happens, pollutants will be washed away. Otherwise, a long-term relief is expected only after November 28.”

Meanwhile, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) said no drastic dip in the air quality is expected until November 25. “Due to cloudy weather, the satellites have been able to detect only 64 farm fires in Delhi’s neighbouring states,” it said. “Stubble plume transport-level winds are back but the high surface winds in Delhi won’t allow pollutants to accumulate. Hence, no significant stubble impact is expected for the next two days,” it said.

(With inputs from PTI)