New Delhi:  Delhi is witnessed bad air quality for the second consecutive day due to change in wind direction, which is now flowing from the stubble burning areas in Punjab, Haryana. 

The Central Pollution Control Board data shows that the air quality in most pockets of Delhi recorded air quality index (AQI) of 245, which is the poor category. The average PM10 and PM2.5 levels were, meanwhile, recorded  over two times the safe standard on Friday.  

Delhi-NCR areas like Ghaziabad and Gurgaon recorded 'very poor' air quality at 302 and 336 respectively, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data said. Yesterday, the AQI of Delhi was registered at 259.

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

The Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) has advised residents in Delhi to avoid going out of home for longer durations, adding that the air quality may drop further as the wind speed has slowed down, which means spike in pollution levels.

“The period of monsoon withdrawals and a low pressure system in the Arabian Sea is developing. Such large scale processes tends to calm the wind speed which is usual for this time. This tends to increase pollution level. The impact of local transport is insignificant so far,” said Gufran Beig, Project Director SAFAR.

Earlier, it was predicted that a dust storm will hit the national capital which would further deteriorate the air quality, but, at present, there are no indications of a big storm

The PM10 level (presence of particles with diameter less than 10mm) was at 208 in Delhi and the PM2.5 level (presence of particles with diameter less than 2.5 mm) in the city was 104, according to data by SAFAR.

(With agency inputs)