Delhi air quality in severe category, AQI reaches 425

New Delhi, Dec 24: The air quality in the national capital deteriorated to the severe category on Friday with the 24-hour average AQI standing at 425, according to SAFAR.

The air quality index in neighbouring cities was also in the very poor and critical category Gurugram (375) and Noida (570).

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai informed that more than 34,000 pollution-related complaints have been received through the Green Delhi application so far, out of which, over 32,000 have been resolved.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality forecast agency SAFAR said low ventilation and high humidity have led to such a situation.

According to the India Meteorological Department, the humidity levels oscillated between 61 per cent and 95 per cent. Weather experts said the slowing down of winds due to a western disturbance affecting northwest India is leading to accumulation of pollutants and high moisture content in the air turns pollutants heavier, making dispersion difficult.

The wind speed will remain low in the coming days due to two back-to-back western disturbances. Light rain is likely in the plains of north India between December 27 and December 29 which may improve the air quality a bit.