Delhi sees worst October air quality since 2020

October 2023 marked Delhi’s most challenging air quality since 2020, a trend attributed by meteorologists to the scarcity of rainfall. Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data reveals that the capital experienced an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 210 this October, mirroring the figures from the previous year but surpassing the 173 recorded in October 2021.

In stark contrast to the preceding years, Delhi encountered only one day of rainfall (5.4 mm) in October 2023, while October 2022 had six rainy days (129 mm) and October 2021 saw seven (123 mm). The Centre’s Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) noted that October 2023 witnessed relatively low average wind speeds and periods of complete stillness, contributing to the air quality woes.

CPCB data highlights the absence of any day with ‘good’ air quality in the capital throughout October 2023, a departure from the two days recorded in 2022 and one in 2021. Despite these alarming figures, CAQM reported an AQI of 172 for Delhi from January 1 to October 31, marking the second-best performance for the same period in six years.

Interestingly, Delhi’s air quality during this ten-month period was only superior during the pandemic-affected year of 2020. In 2022, 2021, 2019, and 2018, the average AQI fluctuated between 179 and 201, according to CPCB statements.

The AQI scale, ranging from zero to 500, designates values between zero and 50 as ‘good,’ 51 to 100 as ‘satisfactory,’ 101 to 200 as ‘moderate,’ 201 to 300 as ‘poor,’ 301 to 400 as ‘very poor,’ and 401 to 500 as ‘severe.’

(With PTI inputs)