Crop burning effects, slow winds push city air quality further down

NEW DELHI: Air quality in the national capital deteriorated further into the “poor” category on Saturday as effects of crop stubble burning in Haryana and Punjab and low speed surface winds trapped pollutants.

According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), air quality index (AQI) till 4 pm was 222, up from Friday’s 216.

The levels are within the “poor” category.

The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), a unit of the Union ministry of earth sciences, has forecast that the effect of stubble burning in neighbouring states in Delhi is expected to rise.

“So far, the effect from burning of stubble in Punjab and Haryana in Delhi is just around 2%. But, it is expected to rise to 6% by October 15 with the increase in the number of farm fires. However, the dip in air quality will be determined by weather conditions,” said a statement issued by Safar on Saturday. This may push the air quality to “very poor” level.”

The Central Pollution Control Board (Cpcb)-task force met with stakeholders to review the status of air quality in Delhi.

“About 10-20 micrograms per cubic metre of PM2.5 in overall air quality of Delhi is attributable to stubble burning. Due to monsoon withdrawal, winds are calm leading to low dispersion of pollutants while wind direction has also changed to northwest, which is bringing smoke pollutants from burning to Delhi,” said V K Soni, senior scientist, IMD, as per a statement issued by the CPCB on Saturday.

The central pollution body has asked all agencies to step up patrolling and crackdown on violations such as dumping and burning of waste, open storage of construction material, dumping of debris and other demolition waste, use of dirty fuels and other such dust-control norms.