Delhi’s air quality improves marginally after 3 days of ‘severe’ pollution
An average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 395 (very poor) was recorded at 8am on Tuesday, down from 410 (severe), on Monday, even as toxicity in the air remained high
Delhi’s air quality improved marginally to the “very poor” category after three days of “severe” pollution levels, the worst streak for January since 2021, even as shallow to moderate fog enveloped the city, and the minimum temperature of 7.2°C was around normal for this time of the year. The mercury went up to 26.7°C on Monday, or seven degrees above normal. The maximum temperature is likely to hover between 23-25°C on Tuesday.
The last time Delhi had three straight days AQI of 400 or higher was between January 14 and 16, 2021. (HT PHOTO)
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An average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 395 (very poor) was recorded at 8am on Tuesday, down from 410 (severe), on Monday, even as toxicity in the air remained high. The AQI is likely to remain in the “very poor” category until at least Friday. Delhi recorded an AQI of 440 on Sunday and 400 on Saturday.
The last time Delhi had three straight days AQI of 400 or higher was between January 14 and 16, 2021. Delhi has never recorded four straight “severe” air days in January.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data at 8am on Tuesday showed that out of the 39 active ambient air quality stations in the city, 23 were in the “severe” zone. Twenty-five stations were in “severe” zone at the same time on Monday and 33 on Sunday.
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Wazirpur had the worst air quality on Tuesday with an AQI of 445, followed by Anand Vihar (444). On Monday, Wazirpur peaked at 473, followed by Vivek Vihar at 472.
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Wazirpur had the worst air quality on Tuesday with an AQI of 445, followed by Anand Vihar (444). On Monday, Wazirpur peaked at 473, followed by Vivek Vihar at 472.
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Experts said stricter on-ground enforcement was required despite restrictions under the Graded Response Action (Grap) Plan-4. “This includes preventing the movement of polluting vehicles, enforcing dust control at construction sites, and curbing open biomass burning. People should strictly follow the Grap citizens’ charter, avoid open burning, minimise outdoor exposure, use public transport where possible, and wear masks to reduce health risks,” said Mohammad Rafiuddin, programme lead, the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW).
Jasjeev Gandhiok is an Assistant Editor with Hindustan Times, where he covers environment, climate change, the clean energy transition and wildlife at the National Bureau. Gandhiok has over a decade of experience in journalism and is based in Delhi. He has reported extensively on Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR). This includes the region's air pollution woes, a polluted Yamuna and on urban wildlife still thriving in the region. He joined HT in October 2021. Prior to that, he had five-year stint at The Times of India in Delhi, where he also covered Delhi, with a focus on environment and wildlife. Gandhiok has covered some recent events around the Capital too, ranging from the farmers' protests, the northeast Delhi riots and the CAA-NRC protests, reporting from the ground on all of these. He also travels across the country to report on how environment and climate change impact everyday life, while also writing on endangered species. His reports in 2019 on toxic leachate from Delhi's landfills led to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) taking suo motu cognisance and ultimately asking the state government to start bio-mining to flatten and remove all three landfills in the capital. He also closely tracks the implementation of government policies on climate, renewable energy and environmental protection. His focus remains on impactful, public-interest journalism which explains how environmental decisions affect people's everyday lives.
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