Delhi’s air quality remained in the poor category as the minimum temperature was recorded at 19°C on Friday. The air quality index (AQI) stood at 223 (8am).A layer of smog engulfs the surrounding at India Gate as people walk along amid poor air quality. (PTI photo)Out of 57 air quality monitoring stations, 19 recorded air quality in the moderate zone while the rest were in the poor category.
An AQI between 201 and 300 is classified as poor under the Central Pollution Control Board’s scale.The air quality reading comes amid the seasonal deterioration in pollution levels amid impending onset of winter and meteorological conditions favouring the accumulation of pollutants.According to the Air Quality Early Warning System, Delhi’s air quality is likely to remain poor till October 25. The outlook for the following six days also indicates that the city is unlikely to see an immediate improvement.Also Read:New GRAP actions failed to curb Delhi-NCR pollution in 10 of 12 episodes, reveals studyAccording to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data, Safdarjung, Delhi’s base weather station, recorded a minimum temperature of 19 degrees Celsius, 1.8 degrees above the seasonal average.
The minimum temperature at the Ridge station settled at 19.2 degrees Celsius, 0.7 degrees above normal.Lodi Road recorded a minimum temperature of 18.6°C, 2.6°C above normal, while Ayanagar registered 19.1°C, 1.9°C above normal. Palam recorded the lowest minimum temperature among the five stations at 18.3°C, 0.5°C above normal.Also Read: Himachal to remain dry till Oct 25, mercury set to rise: IMDThe maximum temperature on Thursday was 32.5°C Celsius at Safdarjung, 32.4°C at Lodi Road, 31.7°C at Ayanagar, 31.5°C at the Ridge and 29.9°C at Palam.No rainfall was recorded at any of the five weather stations in the 24-hour period ending at 8:30am on Friday.