Delhi’s air fluctuates between 'poor' and 'very poor'

New Delhi, Nov 22: Delhi's air quality has been fluctuating between 'poor' and 'very poor' category for almost a week now. The capital's air improved on Tuesday from 'very poor' to 'poor' category on Tuesday morning with an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 286 as against 316 a day before.

Along with Delhi, Noida's air quality was in the 'very poor' category as the AQI recorded 312 while the air quality of Gurugram was in the 'poor' category as AQI stood at 266.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor and 401-500 severe.

The AQI in Delhi is expected to remain in the 'poor' category till at least Thursday as strong surface winds allowed pollutants to disperse.

The AQI in the national capital is unlikely to touch the severe level by the end of the month, according to the Early Warning System for Delhi.

Will winters impact AQI?

Yes, there might be some good news for the Delhiites as reports suggest that lowering of temperature can help reduce the pollution levels as well.

The capital's temperature is finally showing a dip with the onset of winters. The mercury in the national capital dipped to 9 degrees Celsius.

According to a Hindustan Times report, low temperatures at the night lead to a drop in mixing height - a layer of the atmosphere within which pollutants can get trapped. However, strong surface winds during the day and a good mixing height - an invisible layer of the atmosphere within which pollutants get trapped -are both likely to help pollutants disperse.