Delhi’s pollution level began to rise again on Wednesday as the impact of rain subsided, causing the air quality index (AQI) to slip into the ‘poor’ category, authorities said. The air quality index slipped to ‘poor’category as the Central Pollution Control Board recorded it at 212.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the overall AQI in the city was 218.
An AQI between 100 and 200 comes under the ‘moderate’ category, 201 and 300 is considered ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, while that between 401 and 500 is ‘severe’.
Delhi’s air drastically improved after heavy rains lashed the city on Tuesday and was recorded in the ‘satisfactory’ category this year for the first time since October last year. However, as the impact of rain subsided, the pollution level again began to rise and is expected to oscillate between ‘moderate’ and ‘poor’ category for the next three days, authorities said.
On Wednesday, 27 areas in Delhi recorded ‘poor’ air quality while it was ‘moderate’ in three areas, the CPCB said.
In the National Capital Region, Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon and Greater Noida recorded “poor” air quality, it said.
The overall PM2.5 level -- fine particulate matters in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometers -- in Delhi was 101, while the PM10 level was 154, it said.
The Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) said the overall air quality is likely to deteriorate now.