Delhi’s Air Quality Improves, Pollution Level ‘Moderate to Poor’

A man wraps a scarf around his nose as a dust storm envelops the city in New Delhi, on Wednesday.

(Photo: AP)

Delhi's air quality improved on Sunday, 17 June, as dispersion of pollutants and rapidly decreased the pollution level to 'moderate to poor' category from the 'severe plus' for the first time over the last week.

According to the data by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the PM10 level (presence of particles with diameter less than 10 mm) was recorded at 339 in Delhi-NCR and 343 in Delhi on Sunday.

The pollution level that dipped to ‘severe plus’ state on Tuesday came down to ‘moderate to poor’ category today due to rapid dispersion of pollutants, the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research institute (SAFAR) said.

The dispersion of pollutants has become faster after the local winds picked up speed, which in turn has rapidly decreased the pollution level and improved air quality, said Gufran Beig, a scientist at the SAFAR, adding that the air quality is expected to improve further.

Earlier in the week, air quality in certain areas of Delhi NCR remained “poor” and “hazardous” with Union Environment Ministry predicting that the dusty conditions will continue for the next two-three days.

High pollution level Delhi were mainly due to dust storms from Rajasthan, the Environment Ministry said, after air quality in the capital deteriorated beyond "severe" level earlier on Wednesday.

Air Quality Worsens in Delhi

The Air Quality Index in areas like RK Puram, Mandir Marg, Dwarka, Punjabi Bagh, and ITO was ‘hazardous’ over the last week.

Ministry Alerts Agencies

The air quality in New Delhi’s Rajpath.

The Environment Ministry has also alerted major construction agencies, municipal corporations, and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to ensure water sprinkling, and also instructed the Chief Secretary to issue appropriate instructions to the agencies concerned.