Marginal improvement in AQI across most Metro cities, Bengaluru keeps top spot on clean-air chart

On Saturday morning, most of the metropolitan cities recorded a marginal improvement in the air quality, five days after the country celebrated Diwali. Delhi, on October 25, recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 336 at 9.30 am, in the ‘very poor’ category. Visibility remained low in NCR and adjoining in the early hours of Saturday, with a thick layer of smog in most areas.

According to the readings by aqi.in, Delhi recorded an AQI of 336 at 9.30 am on Tuesday morning, falling in the ‘very poor’ category. Of the eight total metropolitan cities, the AQI stands above 150 in just two cities – Ahmedabad and Delhi.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru and Hyderabad recorded the cleanest air quality among all eight cities. Bengaluru had an AQI of 32 while Hyderabad recorded an AQI of 45. Chennai also recorded good air quality on Saturday morning, with an AQI of 56.

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With air quality worsening, residents of Delhi–NCR and other affected cities are advised to wear masks and stay indoors as much as possible to avoid exposure to toxic air. Health experts recommend avoiding outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, or exercising, as fine particulate pollutants can enter deep into the lungs and bloodstream.

AQI in eight metropolitan cities on Saturday

The AQI reading is categorised as Good (0-50), Satisfactory (51-100), Moderately Polluted (101-200), Poor (201-300), Very Poor (301-400), and Severe (401-500). Higher the AQI reading, the unhealthier it is to breathe.

The authorities have implemented GRAP II in the national capital to curb pollution as the temperature drops. The government, in the meanwhile, is resorting to spraying water with anti-smog guns in Delhi to bring down the level of pollutants in the air.