According to the Central Pollution Control Board data, the 24-hour average AQI of the capital was 382 on November 4, which was 314 on November 3. On November 2 it was 303 and on November 1 it was 281.
With the share of stubble burning in Delhi’s pollution rising to 25% on Diwali, the highest so far this season, officials have said the air quality in the city could turn “severe” by midnight and as early as November 5. can grow rapidly. Fireworks are lit.
SAFAR’s founding project director Gufran Baig said PM2.5 pollution in the capital could enter the “severe” zone by midnight, even though 50% of firecrackers were emitted compared to last year.
He said that by the morning of November 5, the PM2.5 pollution will increase rapidly, with the Average Air Quality Index (AQI) even crossing the 500 mark.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board data, the 24-hour average AQI of the capital was 382 on November 4, which was 314 on November 3. On November 2 it was 303 and on November 1 it was 281.
An AQI between zero and 50 is ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’ and 401 and 500 ‘very poor’. considered ‘serious’.
“Extremely calm wind conditions in Delhi and 25 per cent stubble (fire count 2,293) are the two major factors today,” SAFAR said.
According to the forecasts of the SAFAR model, the share of stubble burning may increase to 35% on 5th November and 40% on 6th November, with the wind direction changing to northwest.
Northwesterly winds carry smoke from farm fires in Punjab and Haryana towards the national capital.
“Relief is expected from the evening of November 7, but the AQI will remain in the ‘very poor’ category,” the Air Quality Forecasting Agency said.
An India Meteorological Department official had earlier said that the model predictions do not indicate the AQI reaching the “severe” category even with “high emissions”.
Last year, the share of stubble burning in Delhi’s pollution reached 42% on 5 November. In 2019, stubble burning contributed to 44% of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution as on November 1.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on November 4 urged the Center to issue an advisory to Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to completely ban stubble burning during Diwali so that people can breathe comfortably after the festival. .
The contribution of stubble burning to Delhi’s PM2.5 was 32 per cent on Diwali last year, while it was 19 per cent in 2019.
The contribution of farm fires to Delhi’s air pollution has been low so far this season, due to record-breaking rains in October and an “unfavourable” wind direction to transport fumes from stubble burning.
SAFAR said the local air condition of Delhi for the next three days is “very calm” with little ventilation, which will be unfavorable for the dispersion of pollutants.
On 27 October, the Delhi government launched the ‘Jalao firecrackers’ campaign to create awareness against bursting of firecrackers.
Action is being taken under the relevant IPC provisions and Explosives Act if anyone found burning firecrackers under the campaign.
On September 28, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee ordered a complete ban on the sale and bursting of firecrackers in the national capital till January 1, 2022.
According to the government, more than 13,000 kg of illegal firecrackers have been confiscated and 33 people have been arrested as part of the anti-cracker campaign.
.