Delhi residents continue to grapple with toxic air as the air quality was recorded in the ‘very poor’ category on Sunday, with an AQI of 385.
However, a slight change is predicted in meteorological conditions due to a western disturbance, which may bring some relief, according to monitoring agencies.
Also Read:Delhi gasps as air quality plummets to ‘severe’ category
At 9 am, the air quality index remained at 385 in the national capital.
The 24-hour average AQI, assessed daily at 4 pm, showed varying levels: 389 on Saturday, 415 on Friday, 390 on Thursday, 394 on Wednesday, 365 on Tuesday, 348 on Monday, and 301 on Sunday (November 19). November has seen 10 “severe” air quality days in Delhi so far.
In comparison, only three severe air quality days occurred in November of last year, while 2021 marked a peak with 12 such days—a record since the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) initiated monitoring.
CPCB data has shown a fluctuation in severe air quality days over the years – nine in November 2020, seven in 2019, five in 2018, seven in 2017, 10 in 2016, and six in 2015.
The recent surge in AQI levels followed the lifting of several restrictions by the Centre last Saturday, which included the allowance of construction activities and the entry of polluting trucks into Delhi. This relaxation, along with favourable wind speeds and directions, initially resulted in decreased pollution levels.
A joint study conducted by the Delhi government and the Indian Institute of Technology-Kanpur has pinpointed biomass burning as the primary cause of Delhi’s polluted air, contributing to 31 to 51 per cent of the capital’s pollution in recent days.
Additionally, vehicular emissions contributed about 31 to 40 per cent to the capital’s pollution on the previous day. In response, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has urged concerned agencies and departments to strictly enforce restrictions on polluting vehicles and address the rising incidents of biomass burning.