Delhi Chokes: Volcanic Ash Cloud Fears Amid 'Very Poor' AQI

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Delhi's air quality remained in the 'very poor' category on Tuesday, with the overall AQI standing at 362. The city's residents have been breathing toxic air for days, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) remaining close to the 'severe' category. The presence of a thick cloud of volcanic ash from Ethiopia's Hayli Gubbi volcano, which erupted for the first time in thousands of years, has raised concerns about its impact on the already poor AQI. However, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the effect of the volcanic ash on Delhi's AQI is unlikely as the plumes are in the upper levels and will only temporarily affect the temperature and visibility. The IMD director general, M Mohapatra, stated that the impact will be marginal, with a slight rise in temperature and a hazy sky, but any significant impact on air quality is unlikely. In contrast, Mumbai's AQI remained in the moderate category on Tuesday, with a reading of 178, slightly higher than the previous day's reading of 174.