Delhi's Air Quality Deteriorates Ahead of Diwali, Expected to Remain Poor

Strategic Insights -

The air quality in Delhi has turned bad ahead of Diwali, according to the Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the capital stood at 303 on Tuesday, and it is expected to remain very bad for the next two days. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) also forecasts that the air quality over Delhi-NCR will remain in the lower end of the "Poor" to "Very Poor" categories on November 2 and November 3.

Key Takeaways:

  • The air quality in Delhi is expected to deteriorate on November 5 and November 6 but remain in the "Very Poor" category.
  • The cases of stubble burning have come down significantly as compared to Monday, but the stubble pollution was only 6 percent on Tuesday.
  • The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts that the air quality over Delhi-NCR will remain in the lower end of the "Poor" to "Very Poor" categories on November 2 and November 3.
  • The Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) predicts that the air quality in Delhi will remain very bad for the next two days.
  • The Direction of the winds will turn north-westerly from November 4, which will lead to stubble smoke reaching the capital, affecting the air quality.
  • The current air quality index in Guwahati is 128, which can be considered unhealthy for sensitive groups.
  • The PM2.5 concentration in Guwahati air is currently 4.6 times above the WHO annual air quality guideline value.
  • The air quality had deteriorated last year on Diwali, with the AQI spiking to 173 at 1 pm on November 1 from 108 at 1 pm on October 31, an increase of 65 points.
  • The particulate matter (PM) stood at PM 2.5, with the city recording 481 microgram per cubic meter PM 2.5 pollutant and 476 microgram per cubic meter PM 10 pollutant on November 2.
  • The Pollution Control Board (PCB) has published guidelines stating a complete ban on selling and bursting traditional firecrackers until further notice.
  • A complete ban on selling and bursting traditional firecrackers has been imposed by the Pollution Control Board (PCB) until further notice.
  • The time frame for bursting crackers has been set up by the PCB for 2 hours maximum, from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali.
  • Green Crackers are allowed to be sold and purchased in the state.

Statistics:

  • The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 303 on Tuesday.
  • The AQI is expected to remain very bad for the next two days.
  • The cases of stubble burning have come down significantly as compared to Monday, but the stubble pollution was only 6 percent on Tuesday.
  • The PM2.5 concentration in Guwahati air is currently 4.6 times above the WHO annual air quality guideline value.
  • The air quality in Guwahati is categorized as unhealthy for sensitive groups, with an air quality index of 128.
  • The air quality had deteriorated last year on Diwali, with the AQI spiking to 173 at 1 pm on November 1 from 108 at 1 pm on October 31.
  • The particulate matter (PM) stood at PM 2.5, with the city recording 481 microgram per cubic meter PM 2.5 pollutant and 476 microgram per cubic meter PM 10 pollutant on November 2.

Sources:

  • Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR)
  • Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)
  • Pollution Control Board (PCB)
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • Contify.com
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