Delhi air quality slips back into very poor category as AQI hits 319
The national capital's air quality deteriorated on Thursday after a brief period of marginal improvement following Diwali.
Delhi's overall Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 319 on Thursday, returning the city to the 'very poor' category, according to India Today. This follows a day where the city recorded an AQI of 299, which had offered a marginal improvement toward the 'poor' category.
As of 6.30 am on Thursday, 36 of the 58 air quality monitoring stations in Delhi recorded AQI readings above 300. IIT Delhi registered the highest reading at 413, which falls into the 'severe' category. Other high readings included Jaffarpur and ITO at 394 each, Burari Crossing at 378, Pusa Road at 382, and Dwarka at 376.
The deterioration in air quality follows Diwali, with stubble burning in neighbouring states contributing to the levels. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast no rainfall in Delhi between November 10 and 15, suggesting little weather-related relief.
Weather conditions are expected to remain stable, with maximum temperatures forecast between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures between 14 and 17 degrees Celsius until November 15. Despite an approaching Western Disturbance, temperatures are expected to see little change.