New Delhi: Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 281 in the poor category at 7am on Tuesday as the mercury dipped to 9 degrees Celsius. The AQI was 310 in the very poor category at 4 pm on Monday. It was likely to remain poor till at least Thursday as strong surface winds allowed pollutants to disperse.
Low temperatures, particularly at night, lead to a drop in mixing height – a layer of the atmosphere within which pollutants can get trapped. But strong surface winds during the day and a good mixing height – an invisible layer of the atmosphere within which pollutants get trapped –are both likely to help pollutants disperse.
Delhi’s AQI is unlikely to touch the severe level by the end of the month, according to the Early Warning System for Delhi which the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR uses for pre-emptive action against pollution.
