Delhi’s Air Quality: It seems like there is a quick swing in the quality of air in Delhi given that the city’s air quality “marginally improved on Saturday but still stood in the very poor” category, as observed by the weather monitoring agencies who anticipate some relief attributing it to a western disturbance which may improve meteorological conditions starting Sunday. For the records, up till Saturday, Delhi has recorded 10 “severe air quality” days this November compared to three “severe air quality” days in November last year.
Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 389 at 4 pm, improving from 421 at 8 am.
Comparison With Previous Years
In 2021, the national capital experienced 12 “severe air quality” days, the maximum in the month since the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) began monitoring.
According to the data compiled by the CPCB, there were nine such days in November 2020; seven in 2019; five in 2018; seven in 2017; 10 in 2016, and six in 2015.
What Does The IMD Say
On Friday, the air quality in Delhi turned “severe” on Friday due to a drop in minimum temperatures and slow wind speed at night allowing accumulation of pollutants.
A scientist at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted a relief due to a likely improvement in meteorological conditions under the influence of a western disturbance expected to affect northwest India starting Sunday. Delhi saw a gradual increase in AQI levels after a marginal improvement last Sunday.
AQI In Previous Week
The 24-hour average AQI, recorded at 4 pm every day, was 415 on Friday, 390 on Thursday, 394 on Wednesday, 365 on Tuesday, 348 on Monday, and 301 on Sunday (November 19).
The rise in the AQI levels comes after the Centre last Saturday removed stringent curbs, including a ban on construction work related to linear projects and the entry of pollution-causing trucks in Delhi, following a drop in pollution levels due to a favourable wind speed and direction.
Grading Of AQI
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’ , 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, 401 and 450 ‘severe’ and above 450 ‘severe-plus’.
According to a joint project by the Delhi government and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, biomass burning stood out as the top reason for Delhi’s foul air, contributing 51 per cent to the capital’s air pollution on Friday.
The data revealed that vehicular emissions accounted for about 31 per cent of the capital’s air pollution the previous day.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has directed agencies and departments concerned to ensure strict implementation of curbs on polluting vehicles and check the increasing incidents of biomass burning.
(With PTI inputs)
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