Delhi pollution nears ‘severe’ again: AQI rises to 372; transport emissions top contributors at 18.4% | India News

NEW DELHI: According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s 24-hour average AQI at 4 pm stood at 372, rising from 304 on Monday and 279 on Sunday. Out of 39 monitoring stations, 16 recorded readings above 400 — a level known to seriously impact health. Stations in the ‘severe’ category included Burari, Anand Vihar, Mundka, Bawana, Vivek Vihar, Rohini, Sonia Vihar, Ashok Vihar and Punjabi Bagh. The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi said the city’s AQI is expected to remain in the ‘very poor’ range over the next few days, with mist or haze likely during the night.Weather officials said surface winds are likely to blow from the southwest at calm to light speeds, picking up slightly in the afternoon. Wind speed is expected to rise to about 10 kmph from the north during the evening and night.Data showed the transport sector was the highest local contributor to Delhi’s pollution on Tuesday at 18.4 per cent. This was followed by peripheral industries at 9.2 per cent and emissions from neighbouring cities including Noida (8.2 per cent), Ghaziabad (4.6 per cent), Baghpat (6.2 per cent), Panipat (3.3 per cent) and Gurugram (2.9 per cent). Transport emissions are forecast to contribute 15.6 per cent on Wednesday.On the weather front, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 25.8°C and a minimum of 9.6°C, both marginally above normal. The IMD has forecast fog on Wednesday, with temperatures expected to settle around 24°C and 8°C.