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Pollution control

Delhi's Air Quality Deteriorates to "Very Poor" Category Amid Technical Glitch, Stubble Burning, and Transport Emissions

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The air quality in Delhi worsened to the "very poor" category on Sunday, with a 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) of 315, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. The deterioration in air quality comes despite a technical glitch that affected the CPCB's daily bulletin and app. Stubble burning contributed 3.71% to Delhi's PM 2.5 levels, the highest season contribution so far. Forecasts suggest the AQI may stay "very poor" on Monday before improving due to a marginal increase in wind speed.

Key Takeaways:

  • Delhi's air quality has deteriorated to the "very poor" category on Sunday, with a 24-hour average AQI of 315.
  • A technical glitch affected the CPCB's daily bulletin and app, causing no updates on the website and app.
  • Stubble burning contributed 3.71% to Delhi's PM 2.5 levels, the highest season contribution so far.
  • Forecasts suggest the AQI may stay "very poor" on Monday before improving due to a marginal increase in wind speed.
  • The estimated contribution of stubble burning touched a season-high of 3.71% on Sunday, data from the Centre's Decision Support System (DSS) showed.
  • Delhi's AQI worsened amid transport sector emissions within Delhi and cross-boundary pollution.
  • The biggest contributor to Delhi's PM 2.5 on Sunday was the "others" category or unaccounted sources from outside Delhi (20.6%), followed by 15.5% from Delhi's transport sector.
  • An AQI of 51 to 100 is classified as "satisfactory", and between 101 and 200 is classified as "moderate", between 201 and 300 is "poor", between 301 and 400 is "very poor", and over 400 is "severe", as per the CPCB.
  • Out of Delhi's 39 active air quality stations, Anand Vihar was in "severe" zone, with an AQI reading of 421.

Statistics:

  • 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) on Sunday: 315.
  • Contribution of stubble burning to Delhi's PM 2.5 levels on Sunday: 3.71%.
  • Highest contribution of farm fires in a single day: 3.45% on Friday.
  • Contribution of stubble burning on Saturday: 0.98%.
  • Contribution of stubble burning on Friday: 3.45%.
  • Contribution of stubble burning on October 28 and 29: "poor" category, according to the Early Warning System for Delhi (EWS).
  • AQI classification:

* 51-100: satisfactory

* 101-200: moderate

* 201-300: poor

* 301-400: very poor

* over 400: severe

Sources:

  • Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data
  • Hindustan Times
  • Decision Support System (DSS)
  • Early Warning System for Delhi (EWS)
  • Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM)
  • Graded Response Action Plan (Grap)
  • Envirocatalysts think-tank
  • Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) daily bulletin
  • Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) website

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