Delhi's Air Quality Deteriorates to "Poor" Category Ahead of Diwali

Strategic Insights -

The air quality in Delhi has deteriorated to the "poor" category for the first time this season, barely a week ahead of Diwali. The average air quality index (AQI) in the city stood at 202 (poor) at 11 am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Experts attribute the deterioration to a dip in wind speed and cooler nights, leading to a spike in pollution. Forecasts by the Centre's Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) indicate no relief ahead, with "very poor" AQI also likely around or after Diwali.

Key Takeaways:

  • The air quality in Delhi has declined to the "poor" category for the first time this season, with an average AQI of 202 at 11 am on October 14.
  • The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classifies air quality on a scale of 0-500, where 0-50 is "good", 51-100 is "satisfactory", 101-200 is "moderate", 201-300 is "poor", 301-400 is "very poor", and 401-500 is "severe".
  • Forecasts by the Centre's Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) indicate that Delhi's air quality is likely to be in the "poor" category from October 14 to 16, and between "poor" and "very poor" from October 17 onwards.
  • The Decision Support System (DSS) model estimates that the contribution of stubble burning to Delhi's PM 2.5 was only around 0.62% on October 13, marginally up from 0.24% on October 12.
  • The top contribution to Delhi's PM 2.5 on October 13 was from the city's transport sector (19.6%), followed by Jhajjar (9.8%) and Sonipat (6.1%).
  • Experts attribute the deterioration in air quality to a dip in wind speed and cooler nights, leading to a spike in pollution.

Statistics:

  • The average AQI in Delhi stood at 202 (poor) at 11 am on October 14, according to data from the CPCB.
  • Forecasts by the EWS indicate that the air quality is likely to be in the "poor" category from October 14 to 16, and between "poor" and "very poor" from October 17 onwards.
  • The CPCB classifies air quality on a scale of 0-500, where 0-50 is "good", 51-100 is "satisfactory", 101-200 is "moderate", 201-300 is "poor", 301-400 is "very poor", and 401-500 is "severe".
  • The contribution of stubble burning to Delhi's PM 2.5 was estimated to be 0.62% on October 13, marginally up from 0.24% on October 12, according to the DSS model.
  • The top contribution to Delhi's PM 2.5 on October 13 was from the city's transport sector (19.6%), followed by Jhajjar (9.8%) and Sonipat (6.1%).

Sources:

  • Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
  • Centre's Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS)
  • Decision Support System (DSS) model
  • Hindustan Times