Delhi’s air quality entered the poor category on Sunday as the Air Quality Index climbed to 261, the highest value in more than 85 days. The Commission for Air Quality Management linked the change to dust carried by long-range winds from storm activity in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan, along with strong winds across the Indo-Gangetic plain.
The capital remained hot and humid, with the India Meteorological Department recording a feels-like temperature of 45.7 degrees Celsius at 5.30 pm. The maximum temperature reached 36.8 degrees Celsius, 1.3 degrees above normal, while the minimum was 28.3 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal.
Sunday’s AQI was the highest since April 17, when it stood at 263. The previous day the index was 140, and most of the month had seen moderate or satisfactory readings. The commission noted higher PM10 levels from the incoming dust and said conditions would likely stay poor for the next few days until the dust event ends.
No GRAP Stage-I measures were imposed because the deterioration stemmed from transnational dust, though the Delhi Pollution Control Committee was told to increase local dust control efforts. Under Central Pollution Control Board guidelines, AQI values from 0-50 are good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor and 401-500 severe.
Other stations reported maximum temperatures of 36.6 degrees Celsius at Palam, 37 at Lodhi Road, 36 at Ridge and 36.2 at Ayanagar. Minimums ranged from 25.6 to 27.4 degrees Celsius, with relative humidity between 52 and 64 per cent. Strong surface winds are forecast for Monday, with highs near 37 degrees Celsius and lows near 27 degrees Celsius.
