No respite in AQI in Delhi...

According to reports, the overall Air Quality Index in Delhi was recorded at 326 at 7 AM. The air quality in Delhi improved to ‘very poor’ category from ‘severe’ on Sunday, raising the possibility of the Delhi government lifting the pollution-related curbs imposed in the city including the closure of primary schools and Work From Home for 50% of government employees.

As per the information, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai will chair a high-level meeting to discuss the new directions by the Centre’s air quality panel about revoking curbs imposed under the final stage of the Graded Response Action Plan.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the overall AQI of the city improved further on Sunday but remained in the ‘very poor’ category. The concentration of both PM 2.5 and PM 10 was recorded at 331 under the very poor category and 211 under the poor category respectively this morning.

"The AQI will start improving faster now as surface wind will pick up to enhance dispersion and the direction of stubble transport wind also is changing. The AQI will be very low to mid part of very poor by the 6th of November," said Prof. Gufran Beig, Founder Project Director, SAFAR.

However, Prof Beig also added that the relief is short-lived. "The AQI will start deteriorating from the 8th evening as the stubble wind will again turn from the burning side," he said.