Delhi's air quality in 'satisfactory' category

People in Delhi breathed easy on Tuesday as well, with the city recording its air quality in the 'satisfactory' category.

The city's air quality has been oscillating between 'good' and 'satisfactory' categories, mainly due to widespread rains last week.

On Tuesday, the city recorded an air quality index of 97 as against 81 on Monday.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had on both Saturday and Sunday recorded Delhi's AQI at 49, which falls in the 'good' category.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR), a forecasting body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, said Delhi's overall air quality was recorded in the 'satisfactory' category.

The lead pollutant was PM10, mainly due to westerly winds and hence "dominant contribution coming from the western part which is relatively dry and dusty".

SAFAR said the air quality may slowly slip into the "moderate" category over the next two days.

"Delhi and surrounding area are in low wind regime. Widespread rainfall is unlikely for the next three days that can lead to slow deterioration of air quality," it said.