Delhi breathes “poor category” air as AQI drops to 266

File Photo/PTI

The overall air quality in the national capital on Sunday morning was recorded in the 'poor category', with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 266, a significant increase from 173 recorded on Saturday.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the air quality in Kartavya Path at India Gate was recorded at 266, IGI Terminal T3 in New Delhi at 276. Meanwhile, Noida recorded an AQI of 290 (poor) and Gurugram 152 (moderate). Anand Vihar breached the 'very poor' category in New Delhi with an AQI of 345, ITO with an AQI of 309, New Moti Bagh with an AQI of 360, and Dwarkar Sector-8 recorded an AQI of 313.

The air quality in the national capital on Friday morning was recorded in the 'moderate' category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 149. The overall AQI has increased from 83 on Wednesday to 117 on Thursday.

The Air Quality Index is a tool for effective communication of air quality status to people in terms that are easy to understand. There are six AQI categories, namely Good + Satisfactory, Moderately Polluted, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe.

Each of these categories is decided based on the ambient concentration values of air pollutants and their likely health impacts (known as health breakpoints). According to the AQI scale, the air quality check between 0 and 50 is "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 450 "severe".

Also read: With AQI at 140, Mumbai breathes "moderate" category air

Meanwhile, the air quality in Mumbai continues to remain in the 'moderate' category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) standing at 132, according to System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) data at 8:30 AM. SAFAR reported an AQI of 101 at Andheri and 111 at Borivali, while other areas like Colaba and Mazgaon also recorded 'moderate' category air with AQI at 180 and 156, respectively. However, areas like Malad and Navi Mumbai were experiencing 'poor' air quality with AQI at 201 and 228, respectively.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data at 8:30 AM, Vile Parle West recorded an AQI of 166, Powai (155), Kurla (164), Kherwadi Bandra West (183), and International airport (T2) (158), all falling into the 'moderate' category. Moreover, areas like Sion recorded an AQI of 211, while Mulund West recorded an AQI of 207.

As per the AQI scale, the air quality is categorized as follows: between 0 and 50 is "good", 51 and 100 is "satisfactory", 101 and 200 is "moderate", 201 and 300 is "poor", 301 and 400 is "very poor", and 401 and 450 is "severe."