Delhi just about breathing better after overnight surface winds
Delhi breathing better after overnight surface winds, but pollution board warning remains
But pollution board warns AQI could worsen
New Delhi, Nov. 9 (Delhi Crown): Strong overnight surface winds helped to marginally lower pollution levels in national capital New Delhi early on Tuesday, according to data released by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The average Air Quality Index (AQI) was, however, still hovering between the “very poor” and “severe” category, in the range of 370 to 410, according to these agencies.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘Good’, 51 and 100 ‘Satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘Moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘Poor’, 301 and 400 ‘Very Poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘Severe’.
Reviewing the overall air quality over the region, the CPCB said it expected pollution levels to remain the same over the next week due to continued stubble burning in states adjoining Delhi. It directed the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to strictly implement the Graded Response Action Plan or GRAP measures, including facilitating the regular sprinkling of water on roads to reduce dust levels.
The pollution watchdog also instructed all implementing agencies to submit daily reports to the state pollution control boards and committees.
The IMD said in its forecast for the coming few days that the winds are expected to travel in north-westerly direction and could, therefore, cause the release of higher levels of smog and fluctuations in air quality arising from stubble burning.
So far, according to air quality forecast agency SAFAR, 5,450 farm fires have been reported this season as of November 7 and air quality has been pegged at around 30 percent as on Monday.
Last year, pollution in Delhi had peaked at 42 percent as on November 5 and was at 44 percent in 2019. It was pegged at 48 percent on November 5 this year, a day after Diwali was celebrated.
