Delhi: Air quality improves considerably

Air Quality Index (AQI) reports in the national capital indicated that PM 2.5 and PM 10 particles were in the moderate and severe categories respectively on Saturday.

In Delhi's Lodhi Road area, the PM 2.5 particles level was at the 169 mark, while PM 10 pollutant level was at 500.

Strong-anti cyclonic winds, blowing from Rajasthan, have been singled out as the reason behind the worsening air quality.

Based on these numbers, air quality has improved considerably since yesterday, when the PM10 level was over 700 in most of the areas in Delhi-NCR areas, leading to hazy conditions and limiting visibility.

The AQI of R.K. Puram and Anand Vihar were recorded 948 and 999 respectively.

In the wake of the poor air quality over Delhi, Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had on Thursday ordered to stop all civil construction activities across the national capital from June 15 to 17 to bring down the severe dust pollution.

Lt. Governor took to Twitter and said, "Held emergency meeting in view of severe dust pollution in Delhi with Hon Min @ImranHussaain & officials. Emergency measures like stoppage of all civil construction activities till 17th June. More monitoring by agencies like NHAI, DMRC, MCDs, PWD & NBCC etc. for ensuring compliance (sic)."

A number of dust storms have struck the northern part of India several times in this year's summer season, causing casualties and loss of properties.

As per the AQI level - from 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 is 'satisfactory', 101-200 is 'moderate', 201-300 is 'poor', 301-400 is 'very poor', and 401 and above is 'severe' or 'hazardous'.