Despite Lockdown, Delhi's Air Quality Takes A Hit As AQI Touches 186. Could Deteriorate Further

As India enters stage four of the lockdown, pollution in the capital has apparently gone up. What's interesting to note is that this has happened despite the current circumstances where most of India remains at home.

According to Times Now, Delhi's air quality index (AQI) stood at a 'moderate' 186 on Monday morning. On May 17, the AQI of Delhi was 142, which also comes under the 'moderate' category.

PTI

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), PM10 pollutants in Delhi were recorded at 175 on Monday morning, which falls in the 'moderate' category and PM2.5 pollutants were recorded at 86, which also falls in the 'moderate' category.

In Delhi's Chandni Chowk, PM10 pollutants were recorded at 139, which falls in the 'moderate' category while PM2.5 pollutants were recorded at 188, which comes under the 'moderate' category, states the report.

ANI

Since the start of the stringent nationwide lockdown, skies in the national capital turned clear blue and the air became breathable due to 49 per cent reduction in the air quality index.

But this may not last very long and experts warn that it may be too soon to analyse the impact of resumption of activity on the pollution level.

Twitter/HT

According to a Economic Times report, pollution in Delhi improved significantly from hazardous levels before the lockdown but touched the healthy level only after heavy rains. The report states that the 'level of particulate matter often remained unhealthy, largely because of dust.'

What remains to be seen is what effective solution the government comes up with to better deal with this recurring problem.