Delhi’s air quality turns ‘very poor’

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Delhi’s air quality turned “very poor” on Sunday for the first time since May 17 due to unfavourable meteorological conditions, according to monitoring agencies.

The capital’s 24-hour average air quality index stood at 313 on Sunday, deteriorating from 248 on Saturday.

Delhi last recorded “very poor” air quality on May 17 when the AQI was 336.

Almost all areas in Delhi recorded air quality in the ‘very poor’ category on Sunday.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Faridabad recorded an AQI of 322, Ghaziabad 246, Greater Noida 354, Gurugram 255, and Noida 304.

Officials from the India Meteorological Department stated that the air quality in Delhi-NCR will remain “very poor” for the next few days due to a drop in temperature and the influx of emissions from stubble burning.

The wind speed is slow, and there has been scant rainfall in October, unlike the last two years, an official said.

The central government’s Decision Support System for Air Quality Management predicts that paddy straw burning may increase from Monday.

According to the system, smoke from paddy straw burning accounted for 16 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution on Sunday, and this could increase to 30-32 per cent on Monday.

According to the Union environment ministry, the maximum share of farm fires in Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution stood at 34 per cent on November 3 last year and 48 per cent on November 7 in 2021.

Delhi’s air quality plummeted to the “very poor” category on Sunday, marking the first time since May 17, due to adverse meteorological conditions, according to monitoring agencies.

The capital city’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) stood at 313 on Sunday, a significant decline from 248 recorded on Saturday.

Almost all regions in Delhi experienced air quality categorised as ‘very poor’ on Sunday.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported varying AQI values across neighboring areas, with Faridabad at 322, Ghaziabad at 246, Greater Noida at 354, Gurugram at 255, and Noida at 304.

Experts from the India Meteorological Department highlighted that Delhi-NCR’s air quality is expected to remain “very poor” in the coming days due to a drop in temperature and an influx of emissions from stubble burning.

Slow wind speed and minimal rainfall in October, unlike the previous years, have aggravated the situation, as stated by an official.

The central government’s Decision Support System for Air Quality Management predicts a potential rise in paddy straw burning starting Monday.

According to the system, smoke from paddy straw burning contributed to 16% of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution on Sunday.

This percentage is anticipated to escalate to 30-32% on Monday, posing a significant threat to the city’s air quality.

The Union environment ministry shared alarming statistics, revealing that farm fires accounted for 34% of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution on November 3 last year.

The situation worsened on November 7 in 2021 when farm fires contributed to a staggering 48% of the city’s PM2.5 pollution, underscoring the severity of the issue. (With inputs from PTI)