Delhi's Air Quality Slips to 'Very Poor' as Diwali Approaches

Air quality in the Indian capital, New Delhi, worsened to the 'very poor' category by late Sunday evening, prompting authorities to impose stricter measures to mitigate the impact of firecrackers and polluting emissions. The situation is expected to deteriorate further with forecasts predicting severe air quality by Tuesday. The city's average air quality index (AQI) stood at 296 by 4pm on Sunday, slipping into the 'very poor' range at 302 by 7pm.

Key Takeaways:

• Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) was imposed by the Central Pollution Control Board, restricting the use of diesel generators and barring interstate buses with non-electric or non-CNG engines from entering Delhi.
• The city's average air quality index (AQI) was 296 at 4pm on Sunday, falling into the 'very poor' range at 302 by 7pm.
• Air quality is expected to worsen to the higher end of the 'very poor' category on Diwali day (Monday).
• The impact of emissions from firecrackers will stay in the air through most of the week, with no respite from extremely toxic air likely until at least Friday.
• Analysts expect unfavourable weather conditions to exacerbate the situation, with calm winds likely to prevent air quality from improving.
• The Central Pollution Control Board's Air Quality Early Warning System forecasts further deterioration of air quality to the higher end of the 'very poor' category by Diwali day.

Statistics:

• The city's average air quality index (AQI) was 296 at 4pm on Sunday.
• The AQI slipped into the 'very poor' range at 302 by 7pm.
• Firecracker emissions are expected to remain in the air until at least Friday.
• Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan was imposed to mitigate the impact of firecrackers and polluting emissions.
• The Central Pollution Control Board's Air Quality Early Warning System forecasts the AQI to worsen to 350 or higher on Diwali day.

Sources:

• Citing the Central Pollution Control Board, reports from Sunday evening.