After remaining under the ‘severe’ category for more than week, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital improved to ‘poor’ on Tuesday.
In its forecast, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted that the pollution level in the national capital could improve due to strong winds, while the sky will also remain clear throughout the day.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI as of 9 a.m. at Anand Vihar was 300, Ashok Vihar 283, Shri Aurobindo Marg 265, Punjabi Bagh 311, Mandir Marg 271, IGI Airport 230, Lodhi Road 241 and Rohini 288.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’; 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’; 101 and 200 ‘moderate’; 201 and 300 ‘poor’; 301 and 400 ‘very poor’; and between 401 and 500 ‘severe’.
Meanwhile, the IMD said that the maximum temperature on Tuesday is expected to be 26 degrees Celsius and the minimum 11 degrees Celsius.
On November 6, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was in the “severe” category, with emissions from stubble burning (a seasonal phenomenon heavily concentrated in Punjab, and parts of Haryana) contributing to 36% of the pollution, as per data from SAFAR.
While change in atmospheric conditions has contributed to improvement in air quality, it is possible that reduction of stubble burning in the aftermath of repeal of farm laws on Friday may have also played a part.
One thing is clear though: Diwali firecrackers can be bashed and banned, but that will do nothing to improve the air pollution problem that Delhi-NCR faces every winter.
