Delhi's Air Quality Remains Poor, Likely to Deteriorate Further Over the Weekend

The national capital, Delhi, continues to grapple with poor air quality for the fourth consecutive day, with experts warning of further deterioration over the weekend. In the midst of this air quality crisis, neighboring Mumbai reported mixed air quality levels in different areas.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 249 on Friday, categorizing it as 'poor.' Gurugram recorded an AQI of 252, Noida at 208, Dhirpur at 269, and Lodhi Road at 218. Weather forecasts indicate that Delhi's air quality is likely to degrade from 'poor' to 'very poor' in the coming days. The situation is exacerbated by winds blowing in from the northwest, carrying pollutants from the neighboring states of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.

Stubble burning in these states remains a major contributor to Delhi's worsening air quality. The Centre's Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi has issued alerts, highlighting the imminent shift to 'very poor' air quality levels. Misty mornings are also expected to persist until October 31, as per the Meteorological Department's predictions.

Meanwhile, Mumbai reported varying air quality conditions across its different areas. The city's overall air quality remained in the 'moderate' category with an AQI of 132. However, specific regions displayed different levels of pollution. Vile Parle West reported an AQI of 140, indicating 'very poor' air quality, while Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus registered a high AQI of 301, falling into the 'very poor' category. Vasai West and Sion recorded 'moderate' air quality with AQIs of 146 and 191, respectively. Powai stood at 127, Mulund West at 162, Colaba at 144, and Borivali East in the 'satisfactory' category.

In terms of weather, both Delhi and Mumbai have experienced slight deviations from the seasonal norms. Delhi saw a maximum temperature of 31.8 degrees Celsius on Thursday, with a minimum temperature of 15.1 degrees Celsius, slightly lower than typical values for this season. Mumbai's maximum temperature reached 35 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature is expected to hover around 23 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department forecasts that Mumbai will continue to experience similar temperature ranges throughout the week, with maximum temperatures around 35 degrees Celsius and minimum temperatures around 25-26 degrees Celsius.

As residents of both cities contend with these air quality and weather challenges, authorities are advising people to take necessary precautions and remain updated on the evolving conditions.