Delhi’s air quality remained ‘very poor’ on Sunday though a change in meteorological conditions due to a western disturbance may bring some relief, according to monitoring agencies.   The capital’s average air quality index (AQI) stood at 385 at 9 am which rose to 396 at 4 pm on Sunday. The average AQI is based on the data received from 38 stations.  The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a generally cloudy sky with the possibility of very light rain or drizzle in Delhi from Sunday night.

Anand Vihar entered in the “very poor” category with PM 2.5 at 348 and PM 10 at 330, while the CO reached at 100 while NO2 was at 73, both in “satisfactory” level, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 6 p.m. The Bawana station recorded PM 2.5 at 409, in the “severe” level and PM 10 at 396, in the “very poor” category, while the CO reached 94 or “satisfactory”.At Aya Nagar, the PM 2.5 reached 324, in the “very poor” category and PM 10 was at 241, under “poor” category. The CO was recorded at 83, under the “satisfactory” category.

The AQI monitoring station at Dwarka sector 8 recorded the PM 10 at 407, in the “severe” category and PM 2.5 at 366, or “very poor” while the CO plunged to 120, and NO2 at 102, both in “moderate” levels.

The air quality at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport T3 area was in the “very poor” category with PM 2.5 at 328 and PM 10 at 190, in “moderate” levels while the CO was at 70, or “satisfactory”.

At ITO station, the PM 2.5 was recorded at 382, in the “very poor” category and PM 10 was at 247, in the “poor” category. The NO2 was at 177, or “moderate” level. The PM 2.5 at Okhla Phase-II was recorded at 351, in the “very poor” category while PM 10 reached 272, under the “poor” category. The NO2 reached 137, in “moderate” category and CO was at 85, in the “satisfactory” levels.

 Interestingly, even though Delhi has had 11 ‘severe’ air days so far this month – when the AQI has been over 400, it has been on the brink of severe – 390 or higher on another six days, making it 15 such days with an AQI of 390 or higher. This is the highest tally of such days in November in the last eight years, with the previous high of 13 such days coming in November 2021. Delhi recorded 11 days of 390+ AQI in November 2016, data showed.

With more wind and a chance of rain, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai expressed hope that the air quality would continue to improve for the next two days .

Rai said, “In the last two to three days there was a rise in pollution but today we have come out of the ‘severe category’. It is predicted that from today the wind speed will increase, and there is a probability of rain also. The improvement in air quality, which is being noticed from today, will continue to rise and in the next two days, air quality will improve.

“The Supreme Court had given directions regarding actions to be taken on the ground level for a reduction in Delhi air pollution. The government is working on it with full force,” Gopal Rai added.

The national capital recorded a minimum temperature 10.4 degrees Celsius, one notch below the season’s

average.