Though the overall air quality of Delhi was in the moderate category, many stations recorded 'poor' air quality. Shadipur was the most polluted with an AQI of 281. New Delhi: Delhi's air quality reached the higher end of the 'moderate' category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 197 on Friday, compared to 165 a day earlier.
The air quality is predicted to turn 'poor' on Saturday.
Friday was the third day when the air quality stayed in the 'moderate' zone as strong winds aided the dispersion of pollutants. On Thursday, the wind speed was more than 20 kmph. "Mainly clear skies with wind speed less than 12 kmph in the northwest direction prevailed over the region in the forenoon on Friday," said India Meteorological Department in its bulletin.
Mahesh Palawat, vice-chairman of Skymet Meteorology, said: "There was a slight reduction in wind speed on Friday compared to a day earlier. North-westerly winds are likely to blow for the next two days."
He added that wind direction is likely to change on Dec 9 after a western disturbance starts impacting the western Himalayan region and plains. "The wind direction is expected to change to south-easterly on Dec 9. During the transition phase of wind direction, wind speed reduces significantly, leading to deterioration in air quality. However, air quality is likely to stay 'poor'," Palawat said.
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi (EWS), the AQI is likely to remain 'poor' from Saturday to Monday. However, it is predicted to stay in the 'poor' or 'very poor' category for the subsequent six days from Dec 9 onwards.
Though the overall air quality of Delhi was in the moderate category, many stations recorded 'poor' air quality. Shadipur was the most polluted with an AQI of 281. It was followed by Sri Aurobindo Marg (257), Mundka (254) and Jahangirpuri (251).
The maximum temperature was recorded at 25.1 degrees Celsius, which is near normal for this time of the year. The minimum temperature stood at 8.5 degrees Celsius, one notch below normal, for the second day in a row. The Met department said there is a possibility of very light rain on Sunday.
