Delhi's smog clears a bit, but still unhealthy

The smog blanketing the national capital ever since Diwali cleared a bit Tuesday although air quality indices continued to remain alarming in the Delhi-NCR region.

Early commuters brave the smog in the capital. (Photo | PTI)

NEW DELHI: The smog blanketing the national capital ever since Diwali cleared a bit Tuesday although air quality indices continued to remain alarming in the Delhi-NCR region.

According to a meteorology department official, visibility at 5.30 this morning was at 300 m, which improved to 700 m three hours later.

At 2 pm Tuesday, the pollution readings for particulate matter (PM) 2.5 at IGI Airport was 158, still rated hazardous. At mandir Marg, the PM 2.5 reading at Mandir Marg was 268 [very unhealthy]; at the US embassy 329 [hazardous); at Anand Vihar 682 [hazardous], and R K Puram 335 [hazardous].

The national capital’s has been wheezing though its worst smog in 17 years, with  PM 2.5 readings crossing the 900 mark in some areas.