Delhiites Wake Up To Clearer Skies, Air Quality Improves To ‘Very Poor’

The air quality in the national capital on Sunday improved and stood in the "very poor" category during the wee hours. People woke up to much clearer visibility compared to five consecutive days of "severe" air quality. According to Ministry of Earth Science-backed System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the AQI in and around Delhi was 204. Gurgaon and Faridabad in Haryana were the worst-affected cities, reporting air quality index (AQI) at 372 and 369 respectively, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

An AQI between 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'. Above 500 is 'severe-plus' or 'emergency' category.

Delhi was blanketed by a thick smog for four consecutive days till Friday as unfavourable weather hampered dispersion of pollutants.

Delhi Most Polluted City

Meanwhile, according to a report by private weather forecasting agency Skymet, Delhi is the most polluted city in the world with an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 527, . In its report, published late on Friday evening, Skymet said the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital had been "hazardous" for the past nine days - the longest such spell since AQI record-keeping was started.

The Skymet report also revealed dangerously poor air quality levels at various places around Delhi, including the upscale Lodhi Road area (AQI of 660) and Faridabad (AQI of 708). Other areas were AQIs were measured were Moti Nagar (AQI of 650) and Paschim Vihar (AQI of 629).

Air quality in Delhi and surrounding areas has deteriorated steadily since the Diwali weekend, leaving the city covered in a thick fog of poisonous fog. Delhi government has repeatedly blamed stubble burning in neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana for exacerbating the problem. It had re-introduced the 'odd-even' scheme of vehicle rationing from November 4 to November 15, but Supreme Court and Central government have questioned the efficacy of the initiative.