Delhi records 12.2 degrees, AQI remains 'poor' at several stations

New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS) The national capital on Wednesday recorded a minimum temperature of 12.2 degrees Celsius, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Until last week, the temperature was hovering around 7 degrees, and the minimum temperature was recorded at around 7 or 8 degrees.

According to the IMD’s Wednesday forecast, the maximum temperature was likely to hover around 27 degrees, with the minimum at around 12 degrees again. The weather department said that there will be “generally cloudy sky with light rain or drizzle”.

Air quality at 9 a.m. at several stations across the city was in the ‘poor’ and ‘moderate’ categories, unlike last week when the AQI was ‘very poor’ and ‘poor’. In the Anand Vihar area, at 9 a.m., PM2.5 levels were recorded to be in the ‘very poor’ category, standing at 310 and PM10 reached 240, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The Air Quality Index (AQI) between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’; 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’; 101 and 200 ‘moderate’; 201 and 300 ‘poor’; 301 and 400 ‘very poor’; and 401 and 500 ‘severe’. The Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport (T3) recorded PM2.5 levels at 172, which is counted as ‘moderate’ and PM10 at 151.

Dwarka Sector 8 witnessed PM2.5 levels at 186, falling under the ‘moderate’ category. The change in temperatures and air quality levels have been a point of concern for the residents of Delhi, prompting the need for measures to improve the air quality in the region. This information is crucial for individuals planning to venture outdoors and for authorities to take necessary steps to improve the air quality in the city.