Dusty winds from west leads to poor AQI of Delhi

NEW DELHI: The national capital witnessed an increase in pollution levels as the winds blowing from as far as Afghanistan and neighboring State of Rajasthan brings along dust particles which resulted in the air quality plummeting to the ‘poor’ category on March 29, authorities said.

As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) officials, the rise in pollution might be due to dusty winds flowing from the western side, including Rajasthan and Afghanistan. The CPCB data shows that the overall air quality index of the city was at 232, which falls under the ‘poor’ category. The level of PM2.5 was recorded at 103 and PM10 level was recorded at 226.

The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) said that the overall air quality in Delhi is in ‘poor’ category. On March 28, the AQI recorded ‘moderate’ category. According to SAFAR, “This deterioration is attributed to medium to long range transport of dust from western side of Delhi due to favorable upper wind conditions.” “The air quality will continue to be in poor category till March 30. It is predicted to improve to moderate category by March 31,” it added.