Delhi air to remain ‘very poor’ this week: Experts
NEW DELHI, Oct 22: Pollution levels in the national capital remained ‘very poor’ for the third day in a row today, with the city recording a marginal increase in its air quality index, compared to yesterday’s readings.
Delhi’s air dipped to ‘very poor’ category on Diwali day, recording an AQI reading of 345, which continued to decline marginally yesterday (351) and today (353), according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The hourly PM 2.5 levels in parts of Delhi increased to over 29 times the national permissible limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre (?g/m?) on Diwali night, following the widespread bursting of crackers across the city.
Capital’s overall average PM 2.5 touched a peak of 675?g/m? at midnight on Diwali day, the highest since 2021, when the average touched 728?g/m? on the day of the festival.
Despite the sharp increase in PM 2.5 values on Monday, the city’s air improved gradually. Experts attribute this drop to favourable meteorological conditions, which have allowed firecracker emissions to disperse.
Above normal temperatures were recorded today, with a minimum temperature settling at 21.8 degrees celsius 3.6 degrees celsius above normal. While the mercury soared up to 32.9 degrees celsius a day earlier. The weather department has forecast a similar temperature range for minimum and maximum temperatures until the weekend.
During the past 24 hours, Delhi recorded consistent easterly to south-easterly winds of up to 10 km per hour since yesterday morning, dissipating pollutants accumulated after Diwali.
According to the Centre’s Decision Support System, overall stubble burning contribution to Delhi’s PM 2.5 pollution load remained low on Diwali (0.8 percent) and the day after (1 percent). Experts attributed these to the predominant easterly wind direction.
Today, they recorded a slight uptick in stubble burning contribution to Delhi’s air, rising to 1.625 per cent.
The Early Warning System forecasts showed the AQI is likely to remain in the ‘very poor’ range until at least Friday. During the following six days, the values might oscillate between ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’, the statement read.
(UNI)
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