Delhi Pollution: Air quality ‘poor’, AQI recorded at 232

Delhi's air quality improved to ‘poor’ on Friday from ‘severe’ after rainfall managed to wash away pollutants. The major pollutants PM 2.5 were recorded at 233 and PM 10 at 136 (poor category) in the Sukhdev Vihar area. In the Anand Vihar area, the Air Quality Index (AQI) PM 2.5 was at 191 and PM 10 at 129, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). At the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium area , PM 2.5 was at 184 and PM 10 at 112. AQI at Punjabi Bagh Delhi was recorded poor, PM 2.5 was at 186 while the PM 10 was at 125.

On Thursday, the city’s air quality index or AQI dropped to 208 from over 400 in the last three days, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. The respite came after Delhi's air quality battled severe pollution for three consecutive days from Monday but last night's rainfall with moderate winds managed to wash away the pollutants significantly, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) said.

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On Tuesday, the Supreme Court-appointed EPCA lifted the ban on the entry of heavy vehicles into Delhi on Tuesday, four days after it was imposed due to alarming pollution levels.

The EPCA -- Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority -- said heavy vehicles would now ply on normal timings between 11 PM and 6 AM.

Delhi is reeling under the menace of air pollution for the past couple of years. The region faced a major air quality crisis last year when severe pollution level forced the shutdown of schools and colleges. In 2016, the government tried to explore the possibility of cloud seeding for artificial rain but the plan never worked out. 

AQI categories:

1. An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’
2. AQI between 51 and 100 is ‘satisfactory’
3. AQI between 101 and 200 is ‘moderate’
4. AQI between 201 and 300 is ‘poor’
5. AQI between 301 and 400 is ‘very poor’