Delhi's Air Quality Shows Slight Improvement Amid Protests Over Pollution
Air Quality Update in Delhi
On Tuesday, a minor enhancement in air quality was observed in the national capital, although the Air Quality Index (AQI) remained in the 'very poor' category. Following three days of severe pollution, the levels in Delhi have shifted from 'critical' to 'very poor' due to strong winds and the dispersal of fog.
Protests by Aam Aadmi Party
In response to the escalating pollution levels, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged a protest outside the Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday, demanding action from Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Protesters clanged plates to 'wake up' the government from its 'deep slumber.'
Led by Saurabh Bhardwaj, the head of AAP's Delhi unit, demonstrators chanted slogans like 'AQI, AQI' and 'Pollution must go.' The police later detained several participants. Bhardwaj criticized the Delhi government for being oblivious to the pollution crisis, asserting that the BJP must stop 'lying' and start addressing the issue honestly.
Current Pollution Levels
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the 24-hour average AQI for Delhi at 4 PM was recorded at 354. Among the 39 monitoring stations, only the Mundka station reported an AQI of 407, categorizing it as 'severe,' while 35 stations fell into the 'very poor' category and three into 'poor.' The lowest AQI was noted at the Institute of Human Behavior and Allied Sciences (IHBAS) in Dilshad Garden, which recorded 280, placing it in the 'poor' category.
CPCB standards classify AQI levels as follows: 0-50 is 'good,' 51-100 is 'satisfactory,' 101-200 is 'moderate,' 201-300 is 'poor,' 301-400 is 'very poor,' and 401-500 is 'severe.'
Weather Conditions
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported light fog in Delhi on Tuesday. The lowest visibility was recorded at 600 meters in Palam at 8 AM, followed by 800 meters in Safdarjung. The minimum temperature was noted at 8.3 degrees Celsius, slightly below normal by 0.3 degrees, while the maximum temperature reached 24.9 degrees Celsius, which is 1.9 degrees above normal. Humidity levels throughout the day ranged between 76% and 100%.
The weather department has forecasted moderate fog for Wednesday, with expected maximum and minimum temperatures around 23 degrees Celsius and 9 degrees Celsius, respectively.