Delhi-NCR AQI Remains Poor As Temperatures Rise In February

The air quality across Delhi-NCR remained in the ‘poor’ category on Tuesday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 267, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The deteriorating air quality coincided with a noticeable rise in temperatures, with residents experiencing unseasonal warmth in February.

Multiple locations in the capital slipped into the ‘very poor’ AQI bracket.

Anand Vihar reported an AQI of 317, Ashok Vihar 328, Bawana 333, Chandni Chowk 291, DTU 283, Dwarka Sector-8 252, IIT Delhi 228, ITO 277, Jahangirpuri 314, Mundka 357, Narela 344, North Campus 234, Rohini 335, and Wazirpur 339. IGI Airport’s Terminal 3 recorded a comparatively lower AQI of 192.

In neighbouring Noida, air quality remained poor at several monitoring stations. Sector-125 recorded an AQI of 307, Sector-62 stood at 224, Sector-1 at 236, and Sector-116 at 263.

According to AQI standards, readings between 201 and 300 fall under the ‘poor’ category. Values between 301 and 400 are classified as ‘very poor’.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a maximum temperature of around 25 degrees Celsius for Delhi on February 10. The minimum temperature is, however, expected to remain near 10 degrees Celsius.

Morning mist is expected, and no significant change in weather conditions is likely between February 11 and 15.

Daytime temperatures are likely to hover between 23 and 26 degrees Celsius through the week, while minimum temperatures are likely to range from 11 to 12 degrees Celsius. Morning mist is likely to persist, and officials have issued no weather warnings.

On a broader scale, nearly 90 per cent of the country will likely witness dry weather.

Light snowfall may occur at isolated locations in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, while most plains are likely to remain rain-free.

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