Air quality in Delhi was recorded as “moderate” on Tuesday with overall Air Quality Index ( AQI ) being recorded at 118µgm-3 on the National Ambient Air Quality Index ( NAAQI ).
According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research ( SAFAR ), a unit of Ministry of Earth Sciences ( MoES ), the values of Suspended Particulate Matters ( SPMs ) was recorded at 97 and 66 µgm-3 slightly above the prescribed standards which is 60 for Particulate Matter ( PM ) 2.5 and 100 for PM 10.
According to SAFAR’s short range forecast, the overall air quality continues to be in the “moderate category” as forecasted. Rain observed over many places in the Delhi region, under the influence of active Western Disturbance, the wet spell is likely to continue for next 24 hours.
“The AQI is likely to stay in the Moderate to Satisfactory category on Tuesday and Moderate to Poor category on Wednesday . AQI is likely to marginally deteriorate and in the 'too Poor to lower end of the Very Poor category' on the January 7 and January 8,” SAFAR said.
Meanwhile, temperature in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) is likely to witness a sharp fall in the upcoming days after Wednesday, predicted India Meteorological Department (IMD).
"In upcoming days we expect that the minimum temperature, which at present is 10 to 11 degrees Celsius will likely to fall by at least four degrees and could reach at seven degrees resulting in increased cold in the Delhi-NCR," the weatherman said. As per the forecast, there has been no cold wave predicted for Wednesday, it added.