AQI hits 400 again, may get worse with fireworks tonight

Delhi residents once again woke up to choking conditions on Saturday morning, as the city's air quality index (AQI) drastically worsened to 400, just shy of the "severe" mark, with the day temperature remaining low even as the sheet of dense fog that had engulfed the city for the past few days finally eased.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

The noxious conditions, forecasts warned, are likely to persist over at least three more days, with air quality likely to worsen further if people decide to burst firecrackers New Year's Eve.

The 24-hour average AQI in Delhi touched 401 around noon on Saturday, in the "severe" zone, before dropping to 400 (in the "very poor" category) by 4pm, which is considered the official reading of the day, according to data furnished by Central Pollution Control Board's national bulletin.

The city's AQI at 4pm had been 382 (very poor) on Friday, and was 358 (also very poor) the day before that, according to CPCB's daily bulletins.

An IMD official said the deterioration in air quality appeared to be on account of the low daytime temperature that the city has seen over the last two days.

"Low temperatures, and reduced wind speeds lead to a stagnation of the atmosphere. With almost no sunlight penetrating even during daytime, wind speeds stayed low, not allowing pollutants to disperse," the official said. It also seems unlikely that conditions will improve soon, according to forecasts.