Capital Wakes Up To Poor Air Quality, Delhi AQI Stands At 259

Air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘poor’ category on Tuesday morning, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 259, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Several monitoring stations across the national capital reported elevated pollution levels, with many locations in the upper end of the ‘poor’ category and some entering the ‘very poor’ zone. Among the worst-affected areas were Wazirpur (362), Sonia Vihar (343), Rohini (340), Ashok Vihar (337), Jahangirpuri (331), Mundka (328), Bawana (321), and Anand Vihar (319). Other areas such as Chandni Chowk (302), Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (267), Narela (289), and ITO (236) also recorded high readings. IIT Delhi reported relatively lower pollution at 176, falling in the ‘moderate’ range.

On Monday morning, the city’s overall AQI stood at 218, with 24 stations in the ‘poor’ category and 12 in ‘moderate’. Two stations had slipped into the ‘very poor’ category, indicating significantly higher pollution in certain pockets.

Rising Temperatures Add To Concerns

Delhi also experienced an unusually warm February day on Monday, with the maximum temperature touching 31.6 degrees Celsius — seven degrees above the seasonal average. This marked the earliest instance in five years of temperatures crossing 30 degrees Celsius in February. The last earlier occurrence was in 2021, when the mercury reached 30.4 degrees Celsius on February 11.

Temperatures have steadily risen from 25.4 degrees Celsius on February 12 to 28.5 degrees on February 15, climbing further thereafter.

Weather forecasts indicate that Tuesday will remain warm, with maximum temperatures expected between 29 and 31 degrees Celsius. However, a fresh western disturbance from Wednesday may bring very light rainfall and gusty winds up to 40 km per hour, offering marginal relief.

Also Read: PM Modi, French President Macron To Hold Strategic Talks In Mumbai