Delhi: Slight improvement in air quality

Air quality in the national capital was recorded in the 'sever' category on Tuesday as the country gears up for Diwali. 

The Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) on Tuesday showed hazardous smog levels that ranked as severe on the Air Quality Index (AQI). Some parts of the region managed staggering scores as high as 470.

Delhi's overall AQI at 8:10 am was recorded at 449. The AQI around Chandni Chowk recorded PM 10 levels at 437 and PM 2.5 at 425, while PM 1O levels were 396 and 470 around Airport Terminal 3 and Delhi University area, respectively.

According to SAFAR, the air quality is likely to fall into the 'very poor' category with pollution likely to get stabilised. 

The weather in Delhi will be sunny with daytime temperature reaching 26-degree celsius. Night time temperature is expected to be 15-degree Celsius. The humidity in the air will be around 68 per cent with 9 kilometres per hour wind speed. The visibility throughout the day will be around 1.2 kilometres.

On Monday, air pollution in Delhi rose sharply with the AQI at least one spot being recorded at over 900. 

The air quality index at Anand Vihar was recorded at 912 at 10 am on Monday. (Anything above 300 falls in the "hazardous" category). 

A change in wind direction and rampant stubble burning in neighbouring states reportedly led to the dip. 

Action needs to be taken to minimize the use of private vehicles, which contribute nearly 40 per cent to air pollution in Delhi, a green body said Monday as the air quality of the national capital nosedived to severe category.

Delhi authorities meanwhile have stepped up efforts to combat pollution which includes measures like halting construction activities and regulating traffic.