Air quality to worsen during New Year clebrations: SAFAR director Beig

PUNE: Though air quality in Delhi remains 'very poor', delayed winters had saved Delhiites so far from it's worsening. However, with temperatures expected to fall, air quality is expected to remain worst around the time of New Year celebrations; last week of December and first week of January, according to IITM-SAFAR.

"Normally, air quality in Delhi remains worst from November till January due to the winter conditions. This year however due to the delayed winters, it is expected to worsen during last week of December and first week of January when temperatures are expected to fall down," said Gufran Beig, project director SAFAR, IITM(Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology), Pune.

SAFAR monitors air quality in Pune, Mumbai and Delhi. With calm wind conditions, air quality in Delhi sharply declined on Saturday as compared to Friday.

Delhi government is contemplating keeping the schools closed during the first half of January to protect school children from the health risks associated with high pollution.