New Delhi: Delhi recorded its worst air quality in 287 days on Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index settling at 350 and ten monitoring stations reporting "severe" pollution, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
The last time the capital recorded a higher reading was January 20, when the index stood at 378.
Of the 57 monitoring stations in the city, 10 recorded "severe" air quality, 35 "very poor" and 12 "poor". Jahangirpuri was the worst, at 462. Under the CPCB's scale, 0-50 is "good", 51-100 "satisfactory", 101-200 "moderate", 201-300 "poor", 301-400 "very poor" and 401-500 "severe".
PM2.5 was the dominant pollutant. The fine particles, 2.5 micrometres or less across, penetrate deep into the lungs and can enter the bloodstream.
The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi forecasts that air quality will stay "very poor" from November 4 to 6, and the six-day outlook is "very poor" to "severe".
The deterioration has been steep. The AQI went from 117 ("moderate") on October 31 to 261 ("poor") on Sunday and 324 ("very poor") on Monday, when the Commission for Air Quality Management imposed Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan — the first such day of the season. Meteorologists have attributed the build-up to unfavourable winds, and data show farm fires in Pakistan's Punjab are adding to the load over the capital.
Diwali falls on November 8, with the Supreme Court having allowed green crackers only between 6-7 am and 8-10 pm on November 7 and 8, before the complete ban resumes on November 9.
(With inputs from PTI and media reports)