Delhi Faces Fifth Day of Very Poor Air Quality with AQI Reaching 321

Strategic Insights -

Delhi's air quality crisis continues, with the city recording its fifth day of very poor air quality on Sunday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) rose to 321, categorized as "very poor," with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) facing a technical glitch that prevented the release of its daily 24-hour average AQI bulletin. The Decision Support System (DSS) estimated that transport emissions in Delhi and cross-boundary pollution were the primary drivers of the rise in pollution, with stubble burning emissions contributing 3.71% on Sunday.

Key Takeaways:

  • Delhi's air quality remained in the "very poor" category for the fifth consecutive day, with an AQI of 321 on Sunday.
  • The CPCB faced a technical glitch, preventing the release of its daily 24-hour average AQI bulletin.
  • The DSS attributed the rise in pollution to transport emissions in Delhi and cross-boundary pollution.
  • Stubble burning emissions contributed 3.71% to the total pollution on Sunday, a seasonal high.
  • The "others" category, comprising sources outside Delhi, contributed the largest share of PM2.5 (20.6%), followed by Delhi's transport sector (15.5%).
  • Gautam Buddha Nagar contributed around 7.57% to the PM2.5 load.
  • The air quality is expected to remain in the very poor category on October 27 and in the poor category on October 28-29.
  • The minimum temperature dropped to 15.8 degrees Celsius, the lowest for October in the last two years.

Statistics:

  • AQI: 321 (very poor)
  • Stubble burning emissions: 3.71% (seasonal high)
  • PM2.5 contribution from "others" category: 20.6%
  • PM2.5 contribution from Delhi's transport sector: 15.5%
  • PM2.5 contribution from Gautam Buddha Nagar: 7.57%
  • Lowest minimum temperature in October: 15.8 degrees Celsius (2024)
  • Lowest minimum temperature in October 2023: 14.3 degrees Celsius

Sources:

  • Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
  • Decision Support System (DSS)
  • Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi (EWS)
  • Times News Network (TNN)
  • IMD