After Diwali, Delhi's air quality was under scanner as the level dropped from 'very poor' to 'severe'. However, it is not the most polluted city in India. According to Indian Express, the air quality index (AQI) of Kolkata has dropped to "very poor" category, which is over the index of the national capital.
On Thursday, 15 November, the overall PM 2.5 count at Rabindra Bharati University was at 381 (very poor) in Kolkata, while Delhi’s Ashok Vihar recorded the AQI at 292.25. At Victoria Memorial, the average was recorded at 310.75.
On Friday, 16 November, the RBU average AQI stood at 359.75 as compared to Ashok Vihar's AQI at 292.25. The same day, Victoria Memiral's AQI was recorded at 288.
The average AQI at RBU was at 330.25 on Saturday, 17 November, while at Ashok Vihar, the AQI was registered at 293 and Victoria Memorial recorded at 242.
Some improvement was recorded in Kolkata's air quality on Sunday, 18 November, with AQI at RBU and Victoria Memorial registering at 355 and 246 respectively.
According to PTI, on Sunday, 18 November, the PM2.5 particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres level was recorded at 163, while the PM10 level was recorded at 306, according to CPCB data.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
(With inputs from PTI, Indian Express)
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