Delhi’s air quality remains poor; likely to deteriorate to very poor category

Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to the very poor category for the first time this season on Sunday due to a combination of low temperatures, calm winds, and farm fires in neighbouring states

Delhi’s air quality worsened but remained in the poor category for a third day on Wednesday even though it was likely to deteriorate to the very poor category by evening. An average air quality index (AQI) of 282 (poor) was recorded at 8am compared to 236 (poor) at 4pm on Tuesday.

An AQI of 282 (poor) was recorded at 8am. (ANI)

The Union earth sciences ministry’s Early Warning System (EWS), which issues a 10-day forecast, said the AQI was likely to oscillate between poor and very poor until the end of the month due to unfavourable meteorological conditions. “Delhi’s air quality is likely to be in the very poor category on Wednesday. The air quality will then improve again and is likely to be in the poor category on Thursday and Friday. The outlook for the subsequent six days shows air quality is likely to be between poor and very poor,” said the forecast on Tuesday.

Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to the very poor category for the first time this season on Sunday due to a combination of low temperatures, calm winds, and farm fires in neighbouring states.

AQI between 0-50 is considered good, between 51 and 100 as satisfactory, between 101 and 200 as moderate, between 201 and 300 as poor, between 301 and 400 as very poor, and over 400 as severe.

A jump in farm fires in northern states has been blamed among the reasons for the spike in pollution levels. The fires have started earlier than last year but the count is yet to spike significantly. They tend to spike significantly by the end of October and in the first week of November.

Data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute showed that Punjab recorded 360 farm fires on Tuesday, its highest single-day count this season. The previous highest was 174 on October 20. Haryana recorded 70 farm fires. Its highest single-day fire count of 127 fires was on October 15.

Low temperatures and calm winds at night led to the accumulation of pollutants in the region. Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 32.1°C and a minimum of 16.1°C on Tuesday.

Measures under Stage II or the very poor category, including enforcement of the ban on diesel generator sets, of the Graded Response Action Plan were implemented over the weekend in anticipation of deterioration in air quality. Delhi’s air quality improved on Tuesday due to strong winds but remained in the poor category.