Delhi's AQI reaches ‘severe plus’ capacity. Know when it will improve
After reaching to its two-year high level on Friday, AQI showed a declining trend since the afternoon, observe CAQM. At noon, the average AQI of Delhi clocked 475 which improved to 468 at 4 pm and further to 456 at 5 pm on Friday.
After signaling an improvement in AQI in the coming days, CAQM deferred from implementing stringent measures under the Grades Response Action Plan (GRAP) to curb pollution. The sub-committee observed that GRAP Stage 3 was implemented on Thursday late evening and it was reasonable that it would take more time for its impact to be felt on the average AQI.
As the Delhi air turned severe, leading to a temporary closure of schools and scores gasping for breath, the average Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital clocked 468 on Friday, according to the 4 pm AQI bulletin of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The sub-committee of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), for the operationalisation of GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan), took due cognisance of the declining air quality in the national capital and the weather forecast made available by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) for the next few days.
The sub-committee noted that the average AQI in the national capital showed a declining trend since the afternoon after the enforcement of the GRAP measures. The forecast from IITM and IMD also indicated a further improvement in the AQI over the next few days.
The actions are expected to yield positive results over the next few days, it noted. After comprehensively reviewing the overall air quality scenario and relevant aspects, the sub-committee unanimously decided to track the situation for a day or more before
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