NEW DELHI: Delhi's air quality continued to remain in the ''very poor category'' on Monday as a thick haze engulfed the city amid growing concerns over rising levels of pollution.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the overall Air Quality Index of 348 was recorded which falls in the ''very poor category.''
The air quality was in different parts of the city was recorded as very poor by at least twenty-nine monitoring stations, while it was found to be ''severe'' by four stations.
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".
Authorities have attributed the deterioration of air quality to localised factors like construction activities and vehicular pollution as well as regional factors like pollution by stubble burning from neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana.
A thick smog engulfed the national capital as authorities warned that the situation mayfurther deteriorate next month during the festival.
According to the Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the pollution level in the national capital is likely to increase but will not touch "severe" level for the next two days.
SAFAR data also showed that less stubble burning has taken place in the last two days as compared to last Thursday and Friday when highest pollution stubble burning took place since October 11.
On Thursday, 36 percent pollution of PM2.5 (presence of particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) by stubble burning was recorded in the national capital.
On Monday, 17 percent share of bio-mass (stubble burning emission) was recorded in the overall level of PM2.5 of Delhi.
Meanwhile, SAFAR has also issued a health advisory, especifically for people suffering from heart or lung disease, elderly people and children and asked them to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.
SAFAR also recommended people to go for shorter walks instead of jogs, keep windows closed, and wear masks while stepping outside.
(With PTI inputs)
