Delhi continues to face higher pollution levels with the air quality remaining in the ‘very poor’ category on Thursday morning. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) data, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital stood at 346 at 9:30 am on Thursday.

This indicates a slight improvement from the previous day’s AQI of 366, which also fell under the ‘very poor’ category. However, many areas in the national capital and neighbouring cities continued to report higher pollution levels.

According to the latest data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Mathura Road registered an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 344, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category. Similarly, other prominent locations in Delhi, including RK Puram, ITO, New Moti Bagh, Anand Vihar, IGI Airport (T3), and DU North Campus, reported AQI values between 360 and 400, all categorised as ‘very poor.’

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium recorded comparatively better air quality with an AQI of 220, falling within the ‘poor’ category. On the other hand, Sector-1 Noida registered an AQI of 320 in the ‘very poor’ category, while Sector-62 Noida recorded a 348 AQI, also falling in the ‘very poor’ range. Pusa Road reported a 350 AQI, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category.

As of November 29, at 4 pm, the CPCB reported a 24-hour average AQI of 290, categorising the air quality as ‘poor.’ The prevalent pollutants contributing to this classification were primarily PM 2.5.

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), based on its early warning system, has predicted that the air quality in the region is expected to remain in the ‘poor’ category on both Thursday and Friday. The air quality is likely to transition to the ‘very poor’ category from Saturday and may persist at that level for the subsequent six days, according to IITM.

The meteorological department indicates the possibility of light rain and thundershowers on Thursday. Despite a positive development on Tuesday when the air quality improved in the city following light rain in many parts, the pollution levels have further increased.

Meanwhile, the incidents of stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have gone down. According to a Times of India report, on Wednesday, Punjab recorded 18 incidents, Haryana reported 11 and Uttar Pradesh documented 173 cases of stubble burning.

(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)