Air quality in Delhi again slips to ‘poor’ category

NEW DELHI: Air in Delhi struggled between 'poor' to 'moderate' in the national capital on Sunday. With Diwali around the corner, stringent actions have been taken by the authorities, however reports suggest, it is likely to drop in the coming days. The Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality research and forecast service, SAFAR, said the overall air quality of Delhi is back in poor category.

On Sunday, pollution levels in Delhi shot up by around 100 points at air quality index (AQI), the Central Pollution Control Board data showed.

The AQI, which was 161 on Saturday, rose to 258 by Sunday afternoon.

“The surface and boundary

layer wind direction is northwesterly now. An increase in the stubble burning activity in Northern part of India is observed. The circulation pattern is supportive for efficient biomass plume transport to the Delhi region and a considerable increase in biomass share in pollution contribution is expected over the next two-three days,' said a report by SAFAR on Sunday.

SAFAR report also stated that AQI is forecast to deteriorate to the very poor category by Monday. “Further deterioration to the middle-end of very poor is expected thereafter by October 22,” it said. Meanwhile, the air quality is poor and moderate in different parts of the national capital. Stubble burning has started in many parts of Punjab and Haryana, whose dire effect on pollution can be observed in Delhi. The period between October 15 and November 15 is considered critical as maximum number of stubble burning incidents take place in this span.

State authorities have, however, geared up to take stringent actions to fight pollution. Odd-even scheme will start from November 4 and go on till November 15. On the other hand, water sprinkling has started taking place all over the national capital. Also, numerous hotspot areas have been created, which have more pollution that others.