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Air quality index in the national capital improved slightly on Friday as New Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 288 at 6 am. The city had recorded AQI levels of 373 only a day earlier, as per data from the Sameer app developed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The app showed monitoring stations at Anand Vihar reported an AQI of 305 and Bawana 363, both falling under the ‘very poor’ air quality category. AQI monitors at Burari Crossing (275) and Chandni Chowk (203) recorded ‘poor’ air quality. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is a measure used to assess how polluted the air is and how it may affect health. It is calculated based on the concentration of key pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), carbon monoxide (CO), and ozone (O₃). In India, the AQI is divided into six categories: Good (0–50) indicates minimal impact; Satisfactory (51–100) means minor breathing discomfort to sensitive people; Moderate (101–200) may cause discomfort to those with respiratory issues; Poor (201–300) can cause breathing problems even in healthy individuals; Very Poor (301–400) leads to respiratory illness on prolonged exposure; and Severe (401–500) poses serious health risks and affects the general population. The air quality turned ‘severe’ with an AQI reading of 373 as thick haze and smog enveloped the city on Thursday. Due to reduced visibility, several areas, including Kartavya Path, Anand Vihar, Burari and Akshardham, were blanketed in fog in the wee hours of early morning. Meanwhile, the cloud seeding attempts in New Delhi have been put on hold after attempts on Tuesday did not produce the desired results. The trials were put on hold due to “insufficient moisture in the clouds”, the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur said on Wednesday. Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said next cloud seeding attempts would be held in the coming days when the moisture level increases beyond the current reading of 10-15%. “According to the IMD, there is still 10-15% moisture. Yesterday, our trial was conducted at 10-15% moisture, and now the next trial will be held when the moisture exceeds that level. As per IMD, the moisture is expected to increase further after 4 pm. Once the moisture report arrives, the next trial will begin immediately,” Sirsa was quoted as saying by ANI on Wednesday.
