Delhi’s air quality remained at hazardous levels on Wednesday, as the city continued to face a “very poor” air quality index (AQI) for the fourth consecutive day. Calm winds and a layer of shallow fog contributed to the ongoing air pollution, with visibility dipping to around 800 meters early in the morning. The shallow fog, which was recorded for a second day, has exacerbated the situation, making it difficult for pollutants to disperse.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), visibility remained poor until around 8 AM, with the calm winds contributing to the persistence of the fog. The Early Warning System (EWS) for Delhi indicated that there was no significant change expected in the air quality, which is likely to remain in the “very poor” category until at least Friday.
As of 9 AM on Wednesday, the city’s AQI stood at 356, which is in the “very poor” range, though slightly better than Tuesday’s AQI reading of 373. However, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded even worse conditions in some areas. Four monitoring stations, including NSIT and Wazirpur, reported an AQI in the “severe” category, with NSIT reaching 444 and Wazirpur reporting 421.
The AQI scale categorizes air quality as follows:
- 0-50: Good
- 51-100: Satisfactory
- 101-200: Moderate
- 201-300: Poor
- 301-400: Very Poor
- 400+: Severe
Experts have warned that this year’s air quality has been particularly poor. Data from the CPCB indicates that Delhi’s AQI has reached “severe” levels earlier than usual, with the earliest instance of such high pollution levels occurring on November 1, 2022. Historically, severe pollution conditions have occurred between the last week of October and the first week of November. Despite some improvement this year due to strong post-Diwali winds and higher-than-normal temperatures, the air quality continues to remain dangerous for sensitive individuals.
Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director (Research and Advocacy) at the Centre for Science and Environment, explained that although Diwali festivities on October 31 did not lead to severe pollution, the overall high temperatures throughout October helped in clearing pollutants more rapidly. However, she warned that the high emissions in the air still pose a threat, and a drop in temperature could worsen the situation, pushing the AQI into the “severe” category.
In response to the worsening air quality, Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, launched a campaign to curb open waste burning, which is a significant contributor to air pollution during this time of year. Rai stated that 588 teams will be deployed across the city to monitor and stop illegal waste burning activities, which significantly affect the city’s air quality.
Residents of Delhi are advised to limit outdoor activities, especially in the morning, and take precautionary measures to protect their health, such as wearing masks and using air purifiers indoors. The government has also urged citizens to avoid exposure to the polluted air and to stay updated on air quality alerts.
The situation remains critical as the city continues to grapple with the effects of air pollution, which poses serious health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions.
Sources By Agencies