FOG TO ENGULF CITY FROM NEXT WEEK

The national capital’s air quality remained “very poor” on Saturday even as authorities warned of a spike in pollution level from the next week when dense fog is expected to engulf the national capital.

The Central Pollution Control Board ( CPCB) recorded an overall air quality index ( AQI) of 343. An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered ‘ poor’, 301 and 400 ‘ very poor’ and 401 and 500 is ‘ severe’.

The air quality in four areas — Jahangirpuri and Nehru Nagar recorded severe air quality while 26 areas recorded very poor air quality and two areas recorded poor air quality, according to CPCB.

The overall PM2.5 ( fine particulate matter in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometre) level was recorded at 193 and the PM10 level at 353, it said. In NCR, Faridabad and Noida recorded ‘ very poor’ air quality, CPCB data showed.

According to the Centrerun System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting ( SAFAR), the overall air quality of Delhi continues to remain ‘ very poor’.

SAFAR said, “Meteorological conditions have slightly improved causing dispersion of pollutants but the air quality might deteriorate from Sunday with dense fog engulfing the capital which may degrade the air quality.” the