PM2.5 notches below emergency, all eyes on Nov 3 forecast for wind

NEW DELHI: On Thursday pollution levels in the national capital threatened to pass into the “emergency” category, with the average PM2.5 level edging closer to the 300ug/m3 mark, finally settling within the “severe” boundary at 293ug/m3 by 10pm.

This is the second day that the pollution level remained in the “severe” category.

As per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, PM2.5 remained above the “severe” level of 250ug/m3 since 5 pm on Tuesday.

“It has not yet entered the severe plus category. It is expected to gradually improve over the next two days. We are watching the situation closely. The taskforce will review the measures accordingly,” said a senior CPCB official.

Delhi’s average air quality, represented by the air quality index (AQI) as calculated by CPCB on Thursday was 410 in the ‘severe’ category. On Wednesday, it was 419.

According to CPCB officials, air may improve significantly on November 3, when surface wind speed is expected to pick up pace.

The Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) that enforces Grap in Delhi-ncr will review the situation on Friday.

“All measures under GRAP have been taken. We are watching with great concern, as pollution is almost at emergency levels. We may have to come up with more measures,” said, Sunita Narain, member, EPCA, adding, “Better efforts could have been made to handle the two major factors behind the spike in pollution levels --- cracker busting on Diwali and stubble burning.”

In view of the spike in air pollution in the national capital, Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Dev directed all agencies concerned to impose heavy penalties on “polluters”.