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Gurgaon Air Quality Worsens: Moderate Alert Issued
27 Oct
Summary
- Gurgaon's AQI rose to 156, a 22-point jump from Sunday's 134.
- Particulate matter (PM10 or PM2.5) was the dominant pollutant on several days.
- Ventilation index and mixing depth are predicted to decline over Delhi.
Gurgaon's air quality index (AQI) stood at 156 on Monday, remaining in the moderate category. This marks a significant increase of 22 points from Sunday's AQI of 134. Earlier in the week, the AQI had fluctuated, reaching 215 on Friday and 216 on Wednesday.
Particulate matter, either PM10 or PM2.5, was identified as the predominant pollutant on several days. Readings from the city's four active monitoring stations showed variations, with TERI Gram registering the highest AQI at 180.
Officials attribute the marginal dip in AQI to changes in local dispersion conditions. However, they caution that the improvement compared to the previous week is limited and uneven. A drop in temperature and low wind speeds are contributing to the persistence of pollutants.
The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi forecasts a decline in the ventilation index from 11,000 m²/s on October 26 to 6,000 m²/s on October 27 and 3,800 m²/s on October 28. A ventilation index below 6,000 m²/s, along with low wind speed, hinders pollutant dispersal. The maximum mixing depth is also expected to decrease.
CPCB guidelines classify AQI between 201-300 as 'poor', leading to potential breathing discomfort. AQI between 301-400 is 'very poor', with increased health risks for sensitive groups.
