New Delhi, Feb 1 (UNI) Delhi’s air quality dipped marginally in the ‘very poor’ category with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) docking at 331, according to Ministry of Earth Science’s air quality monitor, System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).
According to the Central Pollution Control Board data, the AQI was recorded at 368 in Anand Vihar, 347 in Bawana, 324 in ITO, 347 in Mathura Road, 388 in Jahangirpuri, 343 in Mundka, 317 in RK Puram, 312 in Shadipur, and 351 in Wazirpur, all falling in the ‘very poor’ category. Several other areas such Aya Nagar, Indira Gandhi International Airport (Terminal 3), Lodhi Road, Sirifort and Sri Aurobindo Marg recorded ‘poor’ air quality, with the AQI values clocking at 254, 272, 228, 300 and 231 respectively. Meanwhile, Old Delhi’s popular marketplace Chandni Chowk recorded an AQI of 402, in the ‘severe’ category.
The Centre-run pollution monitoring system, in its health advisory, stated that sensitive people should avoid all physical activity outdoors and move activities indoors. It urged asthmatics to keep medicines handy. In general, people have been advised to stop any activity if they experience any unusual coughing, wheezing, breathing difficulty, chest discomfort or fatigue.
According to SAFAR, Delhi’s air quality is likely to worsen as surface winds are expected to slow down. Tomorrow (February 2), the concentration of PM10 particles is expected to be at 333 (‘poor’ category) while PM2.5 is expected to be at 176 (‘very poor’ category).
