India, Feb. 10 -- Delhi's air quality deteriorated to the higher end of the "poor" category on Monday following a drop in wind speed even as the minimum temperature rose marginally to 9.7degC, a degree below normal, compared to 7.8degC a day earlier.

An average air quality index (AQI) of 260 (poor) was recorded at 8am. It was 227 (poor) at 4pm on Sunday and 152 (moderate) on Saturday.

Private forecaster Skymet vice president Mahesh Palawat said a western disturbance influencing the region slowed down wind speed." He added an increase in wind speed from February 12 will improve AQI.

The Early Warning System for Delhi said the AQI was likely to stay in the "poor" range until Tuesday before improving to "moderate" on Wednesday. The AQI wa...