Residents of Delhi are facing the problem of high air pollution even as the overall air quality improved slightly on November 14, moving into the “very poor” range of the “severe” Air Quality Index (AQI). According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the national capital recorded an AQI of 386 at 6.15 am, a remarkable improvement from yesterday’s 404.
Despite the improvement, many air quality monitoring stations recorded AQIs in the severe category. Out of a total of 39 stations, 15 recorded air quality in the ‘severe’ range, with Wazirpur, Bawana and Mundka performing worst. The best AQI was recorded at Lodhi Road, which was in the “poor range”.
This significant improvement in AQI comes days after farm fires contributed nearly 22% to the deterioration of air quality. For nearly three days, the AQI hovered in the severe range before finally improving on Friday. The contribution of stubble burning to Delhi’s PM2.5 levels fell by 8.54% on Friday, down from 12% the previous day. Smoke from crop residue burning in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh is a major contributor to Delhi’s pollution.
Data from the Decision Support Center (DSS) show that emissions from transport accounted for 19.8%, the highest share of all sources.
What is the AQI forecast in Delhi?
Pollutants are trapped close to the surface thanks to low temperatures and calm winds. The air quality forecast indicates that the stubble contribution will increase to 16.3% on Saturday.
A total of 72 farm fires were observed in Punjab, PTI reported citing satellite data. As many as 15 farm fires were reported in Haryana and 293 in Uttar Pradesh on 13 November.
Saturday’s forecast calls for shallow fog for the capital. On November 15, the maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to settle around 28 degrees and 10 degrees Celsius.
Amid air quality and health concerns, senior advocate Vikas Pahwa urged the Delhi High Court to temporarily switch to a hybrid mode or virtual hearing to protect the health of lawyers, litigants and court personnel.
In a detailed letter addressed to Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, Pahwa highlights this
Vikas Pahwa, according to the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI), remained in the “severe” category, often ranging between 450-600 in several monitoring zones. It notes that PM2.5 levels exceeded 190 mg/m³, more than three times the permissible limit of 60 mg/m³, and fall squarely in the medically defined toxic and life-threatening range.
