New Delhi: The air quality is likely to play spoilsport for Delhiites on New Year’s Eve on Sunday. As per forecast, the air quality, which is currently in the “very poor” category, is likely to plunge further to “severe” by Sunday.
The air quality index (AQI) was at 364 on Friday on a maximum scale of 500. It is in the “very poor” category and close to the 400 mark, after which it will be recorded in the “severe” category.
According to the website of Safar (System of Weather Forecasting and Air Quality Research), which comes under the Union ministry of earth sciences, there was a high concentration of ultra fine pollutants in Delhi’s air on Friday. While particulate matter (PM) 10 was 343, PM 2.5 was 197 microgram per cubic metre (µg/m³) respectively. This is much above their prescribed safe limits of 100 and 60 µg/m³.
The build-up of PM 10 and PM 2.5 is likely to increase on Saturday and by Sunday their concentration is likely to go up to 426 and 252 µg/m³ respectively.
Experts said that the temperatures are likely to fall 5 degrees Celsius in the next two days. The fall in the mercury level along with calm winds could be the reason behind the rise in pollutants.
