NEW DELHI: Delhi's air quality once again touched the "poor" category on CPCB's Air Quality Index (AQI) on Monday, with both average PM2.5 and PM10 levels reaching two to three times the safe standard. The overall AQI was recorded at 246 - a rise from a reading of 181 on Sunday which falls into the "moderate" category.

According to SAFAR - a body under the ministry of earth sciences - the AQI is likely to rise further in the coming days, with the average PM 2.5 levels touching the "very poor" range.

Officials said the dip in air quality has been due to local conditions, especially a reduction in wind speed. "Air quality has been hovering between moderate and poor, but it is better than last year at the same stage. We are observing a dip only due to a reduction in wind speeds and these localised factors should change soon," said a CPCB official.