The national capital's air quality improved marginally on Monday despite a significant increase in stubble burning in neighbouring states as favourable wind speed helped disperse pollutants.
However, the winds are expected to become calm October 23 onwards, resulting in further deterioration of air quality to the "very poor" category.
Pollution levels in Delhi dipped on Monday by around 10 points at air quality index (AQI), according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board. Delhi's AQI stood at 249 on Monday as against 258 on Sunday evening.
Currently, the wind direction is prominently northwesterly, according to the India Meteorological Department.
Westerly and northwesterly winds bring dust from western regions and smoke caused by burning of crop residue in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana to Delhi-NCR.
Barring Siri Fort with AQI 363, Dwarka Sector eight (326) and Jahangirpuri (302), all monitoring stations in Delhi recorded air quality in the "poor" category.
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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'.
Kuldeep Srivastava, a senior IMD scientist, said winds clocking 22-25 kilometers per hour helped disperse pollutants on Monday and subdued the effect of stubble burning in neighbouring states.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality forecast and research service, SAFAR, said, "The overall air quality of Delhi is in the poor category. The leading factor keeping AQI in check is faster surface winds."
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