New Delhi: The quality of air in the national capital improved to the ‘satisfactory’ category with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) clocking at 63 at 6 am on Sunday, according to the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). The concentrations of major polluting particles such as PM2.5 and PM10 stood at 27 (‘good’ category) and 63 (‘satisfactory’ category) respectively.

Air quality in various areas of Delhi

As per the data shared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CBCB), Ashok Vihar, Dilshad Garden (IHBAS), Jahangirpuri and RK Puram recorded an AQI figure of 44, 42, 47 and 49 respectively, all falling in the ‘good’ category. The air pollution levels in Bawana, Dwarka Sector 8, Mundka and Punjabi Bagh stood in the ‘satisfactory’ category with the AQI value docking at 77, 84, 64, and 54 with PM10 and prominent polluting particle. Meanwhile, ITO recorded an AQI of 90 in the ‘satisfactory’ category with the dominant concentration of CO particles.

Why pollution levels dropped?
The sudden improvement in AQI value can be attributed to the aerosol washout process due to widespread rainfall, said the pollution monitoring system.

SAFAR's forecast

According to SAFAR’s forecast, the national capital’s air quality is likely to register further improvement on Monday morning. The concentration of PM 10 particles is expected to drop to the figure of 54 (‘satisfactory’ category) while the concentration of PM2.5 is expected to decline to the figure of 23 (‘good’ category). However, after three days Pm2.5 particle concentration may spike up to the ‘satisfactory’ category.