Air quality in Delhi continues to be ‘very poor’

Delhi's air quality continues to be in 'very poor' category on Friday, December 7, with the PM10 recorded at 333 and PM2.5 recorded at 179.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, December 6, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), also issued a show-cause notice to the city government's Irrigation and Flood Control Department for not containing open burning of waste at Shahdara drain. Meanwhile, the CPCB recorded an overall air quality index (AQI) of 343.

An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor' and 401 and 500 is 'severe'.

The air quality in four areas -- Mundka, Nehru Nagar, Rohini and Wazirpur -- was recorded in 'severe' category. It was 'very poor' in 24 areas and 'poor' in four areas, according to the CPCB.

The overall PM2.5 (fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometre) level was recorded at 210 and the PM10 level at 396, it said.

In the NCR, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Noida recorded 'very poor' air quality, the CPCB data showed.

News agency ANI reported that the major pollutant PM 2.5 and PM 10 were at 251 and 255 respectively in Lodhi Road area, both in 'Poor' category on Friday. The Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) said the overall air quality of Delhi continues to remain in the 'very poor' range.

The national capital has been battling alarming levels of pollution for over a month now with the air quality oscillating between 'poor' and 'severe' categories, which has prompted authorities to adopt a slew of measures.