End of clean air streak: Delhi set for ‘poor’ AQI

Delhi is set to record its first spell of “poor” air this season, with pollution levels expected to worsen through midweek, according to forecasts by the Centre's Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS).

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

If the forecasts hold true, this would effectively bring to an end the Capital’s four-month-long streak where air was “satisfactory” or better.

On Monday, the air quality deteriorated marginally, with the 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) touching 189 (“moderate”) at 4pm, when the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) releases its daily national bulletin. This was up 22 points from an AQI of 167 (moderate) on Sunday.

EWS forecasts for Delhi, meanwhile, show that the AQI is likely to slip into the “poor” category by Tuesday, the first such instance since June 11, when Delhi last recorded an AQI of 245.

“Delhi's air quality is very likely to be in the ‘poor’ category from October 14 till October 16. The outlook for the subsequent six days shows the air quality is likely to be between the ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ category,” EWS projections released on Monday said.