Gurugram’s air quality goes down
GURUGRAM: After improving to the ‘moderate’ and ‘satisfactory’ categories late on Friday night and early Saturday morning, the air quality index (AQI) reading in Gurugram again dipped to ‘poor’ on Saturday afternoon. On Saturday, Gurugram recorded an AQI reading of 219, as per the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) monitor at Vikas Sadan in Sector 11.
On Friday, the city had an AQI reading of 258 (poor), as per the CPCB monitor. Gurugram’s AQI reading on Saturday was higher than that of Delhi’s (161) for the first time this season. Delhi’s air quality has been in the ‘very poor’ category thrice this week, while Gurugram’s air quality has stayed in the ‘poor’ category this week, as per the CPCB’S data.
According t o air quality experts in the city, the city’s air quality improved early on Saturday due to a higher wind speed that dispersed pollutants in the atmosphere. The AQI reading at 11am was 110 (moderate), as per the National Air Quality Index website. The wind speed at 11.30am was recorded at 12 kmph in the city, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
“Meteorological factors, such as wind speed, helped bring down the level of pollutants early morning. However, the mixing height was low later in the day and the pollutants were a result of internal sources,” Sachin Panwar, an air quality expert in the city, said.
The maximum ventilation on Saturday was around 12,500 m2/s, as per the CPCB. On Sunday, it is likely to be around 16,000 m2/s. The ventilation index lower than 6,000 m2/s with average wind speed less than 10 kmph is unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants.
According to the CPCB, a predominant wind blowing from the north with a speed of 12kmph is likely to lead to a mainly clear sky on Sunday.
Strong surface winds, with a speed of 20-25 kmph are expected during the day, clearing out pollutants.