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Delhi woke up to 'poor' air quality on Tuesday morning as the Air Quality Index (AQI) rose to 267 according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
The deteriorating air quality has raised concerns for residents travelling outdoors and for people who experience respiratory conditions.
Health professionals recommend that people stay indoors to protect their health, especially children, elderly people and individuals who have asthma or other respiratory conditions.
The CPCB data showed that Delhi's air quality went through substantial fluctuations throughout the day.
Wazirpur recorded the highest pollution level with an AQI of 346, which falls under the 'very poor' category. Chandni Chowk reported an AQI of 299, while Sirifort stood at 285.
ITO recorded 282, Punjabi Bagh 275 and Anand Vihar recorded 321, remaining one of the most polluted locations in the city. Burari Crossing recorded an AQI of 262, which increased the pollution levels in north Delhi.
The CPCB reported that air quality measurements in Delhi-NCR show current variances despite existing high measurement results.
The pollution control body reported that today's air quality demonstrated temporary enhancements, which occurred in specific areas because of the weather conditions that brought clear skies and efficient pollutant distribution.
The overall AQI maintained its position in the poor category because the improvements did not meet sufficient standards.
The situation on Monday showed better results when compared to previous conditions. The AQI measured 206, which remained in the poor category but showed a significant decrease from Tuesday's measurement.
Residents experienced temporary relief from pollution because the air became less polluted before pollution levels returned to higher levels.
The weather conditions on Monday brought better air quality to multiple locations. Burari Crossing showed an improved AQI of 117, which provided north Delhi residents with better air quality. IGI Airport (Terminal 3) reported an AQI of 177 while ITO stood at 210.
R K Puram and Rohini recorded AQI levels of 258 and 255, respectively, which remained in the poor range but showed improvement from earlier levels.
Multiple locations experienced a steady decrease in pollution levels throughout the entire day on Monday. Alipur recorded an AQI of 227, and Chandni Chowk stood at 192, indicating better air quality than on previous days.
The increase in pollution on Tuesday demonstrates how fast air quality deteriorates in the capital city. Experts predict that the combination of changing weather patterns, decreased wind speed, vehicle emissions and construction dust will lead to rising pollution levels.
The authorities are monitoring the situation closely while they issue advisories whenever necessary. Residents must stay updated through official AQI reports while taking safety measures for outdoor activities.