Delhi records "very poor" air quality; light rain likely today

Delhis air quality remained in the very poor category on Monday even as the weather department forecast partly cloudy weather with chances of very light rain towards the eveningAccording to the India Meteorological Department IMD the national capital recorded a minimum temperature of 173 degrees Celsius 01 degrees above the seasons averageThe maximum temperature is expected to hover around 29 degrees Celsius At 830 am the humidity level was 94 per centAs per the Central Pollution Control Boards CPCB Sameer app localities such as Bawana and Anand Vihar recorded severe air quality with Air Quality Index AQI readings of 401 and 431 respectivelyOut of 38 monitoring stations across the city 23 reported very poor air quality with readings above 300On Sunday the citys air quality had marginally improved to the poor category after remaining very poor for most of the day while the minimum temperature settled at 158 degrees Celsius the lowest recorded in October in the last two yearsThe AQI had stood at 292 in the evening compared to 324 in the morningIn October 2023 the minimum temperature dipped to 159 degrees Celsius and settled at 174 degrees Celsius in the same month as the previous yearAccording to the CPCB an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good 51100 satisfactory 101200 moderate 201300 poor 301400 very poor and 401 500 severeMeanwhile the New Delhi Municipal Council NDMC launched the second phase of its mist sprayer project on Sunday along Shanti Path and Africa Avenue roads to help curb rising air pollution reported PTIThe civic body in a statement said that the continuation follows the successful first phase at Lodhi RoadDelhis air quality continues to remain in the very poor category prompting NDMC to intensify efforts for dust suppression smog reduction greenery enhancement and public awareness NDMC Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal saidMist sprayers mounted on electric poles release fine droplets of treated water which help settle dust and pollutants improving air qualityThe system also aids in watering roadside plants and conserving waterOn Africa Avenue Road 30 poles with five nozzles each have been installed over an 850metre stretch while 32 poles have been placed along a 900metre stretch of Shanti PathEach pole uses around 84 litres of treated water per hour supported by storage tanksChahal said the third phase of the project will cover 24 major roads in the NDMC area at a cost of Rs 15 crore while the fourth phase will extend to Connaught Place and Khan Market reported PTITeam NDMC is committed to the prime ministers vision of a clean and green India and to ensuring a healthier environment for citizens he said reported PTIWith inputs from PTI