NEW DELHI: The air quality index in Delhi slipped to POOR  category on Wednesday, March 15,  while Delhi's minimum temperature settled at 16.3 degrees Celsius, one notch above the season's average, as per  Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin.

The highest temperature is predicted to be approximately 34 degrees Celsius with a partly cloudy sky during the day. he total Air Quality Index (AQI) at 9 am according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) statistics was 202, which is considered to be in the "bad" category.

An AQI between zero and 50 is regarded "excellent", 51 and 100 "acceptable", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "extremely poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".

According to the IMD bulletin, the relative humidity at 8.30 am was 86 percent.

Data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research showed that Delhi's AQI was in the moderate (150) category around 9 am on Tuesday (SAFAR).

Due to the deteriorating air quality, the Delhi government temporarily banned the use of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel four-wheelers in the nation's capital in January. Due to unfavourable weather (clammy winds and low temperatures) air Delhi's quality deteriorated to the severe category on Monday, forcing the Council for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to order all NCR states to intensify their implementation of anti-pollution regulations.

According to an order made, "With immediate effect, until the date of 12.01.2023 or until downward revision in GRAP stage, whichever is earlier, there shall be restrictions to ply BS-III, Petrol and BS-IV, Diesel LMVs (4-wheelers) in NCT of Delhi (except for vehicles deployed in emergency services, police vehicles, and government-owned vehicles used for official business)"

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