Gurgaon: The city’s AQI rose to 340 on Saturday, marking the sixth consecutive day the city remained in the ‘very poor’ category, with worsening pollution across three of its four monitoring stations and little relief for residents. The city’s average AQI was up from 324 on Friday, while Teri Gram recorded the highest reading at 389. Gwalpahari and Vikas Sadan followed with 365 and 360, respectively. Sector 51 was the only station in the ‘poor’ category, with an AQI of 231.Particulate pollution remained a major concern, with PM2.5 levels touching 500 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³) at Sector 51, more than 33 times World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended 24-hour guideline of 15 µg/m³. Teri Gram recorded 495 µg/m³, followed by Gwalpahari at 440 µg/m³ and Vikas Sadan at 412 µg/m³.PM10 levels were also elevated. Teri Gram recorded the highest concentration at 459 µg/m³, more than 10 times WHO’s recommended 24-hour guideline of 45 µg/m³. Gwalpahari and Sector 51 recorded 410 µg/m³ and 391 µg/m³, respectively, while Vikas Sadan reported a comparatively lower reading of 45 µg/m³.The readings were also well above Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) annual permissible limits of 60 µg/m³ for PM2.5 and 100 µg/m³ for PM10.The immediate outlook remains unfavourable, with the AQI expected to stay in the very poor category for the next three days. However, a change in wind direction, stronger surface winds and the possibility of rain could bring some relief from Sunday.According to Safar’s forecast, surface winds from the northwest and north are expected to reach speeds of up to 20 kmph on Sunday. The maximum mixing depth is likely to be around 1,500 metres, while the ventilation index is forecast to improve to approximately 10,000 m²/s. These conditions could aid the dispersion of pollutants. Isolated rainfall is also likely in parts of Haryana, including Gurgaon.An air quality expert said the worst phase of pollution could be behind the city, with weather conditions expected to become more favourable from Sunday. However, any improvement is likely to be gradual, with the AQI fluctuating between the lower end of the very poor category and the higher end of the poor category.“Pollution levels had started rising sharply over the past few days as there was no strong wind activity. But the predicted showers on Sunday and a change in wind direction could bring some relief. Wind speeds are also expected to pick up over the next few days, helping flush out the accumulated pollutants,” said Sachin Panwar, an independent air quality expert.He added that wind speeds were likely to improve from Monday and remain relatively favourable until Friday, preventing pollution levels from reaching the extreme peaks recorded recently. However, falling temperatures could once again create unfavourable conditions, particularly during early mornings and evenings.“As temperatures fall by around 3-4 degrees Celsius over the coming days, the thermal inversion process will begin setting in during the early morning hours. This can restrict the vertical movement of pollutants and lead to a gradual build-up again. Pollution levels may start rising towards Friday, but they are unlikely to reach the extreme levels witnessed recently,” he said.
