Delhi's Air Quality Improves To Moderate After Turning Poor For The First Time In Three Months

The national capital's air pollution levels reduced slightly and were recorded in the "moderate" category on Friday morning.

The city recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 198 which falls in the "moderate" category. The 24-hour average AQI was 208 on Thursday.

AP

Delhi''s air quality had turned poor on Wednesday, the first time in since June 29, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recording a 24-hour average AQI of 215. The AQI was 230 on June 29.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ''good'', 51 and 100 ''satisfactory'', 101 and 200 ''moderate'', 201 and 300 ''poor'', 301 and 400 ''very poor'', and 401 and 500 ''severe''.

Delhi air to improve further

The Ministry of Earth Sciences'' air quality monitor, SAFAR, said the AQI is likely to improve to the "moderate" category by Saturday.

AP

A gradual increase was observed in farm fires around Punjab, Haryana, and neighbouring border regions, it said.

The boundary layer wind direction and speed are favorable for the transport of pollutants towards Delhi but a shift in the wind direction is predicted which will keep air quality in the "moderate" category, SAFAR said.

Delhi air pollution a yearly problem

High levels of air pollution in Delhi is a year-round problem, which can be attributed to unfavorable meteorological conditions, farm fires in neighbouring regions and local sources of pollution.

BCCL

According to an analysis by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, a Delhi-based think tank, transportation contributes the most -- 18 to 39 percent -- to Delhi''s air pollution.

Road dust is the second largest source of air pollution in the city (18 to 38 percent), followed by industries (2 to 29 percent), thermal power plants (3 to 11 percent) and construction (8 percent).

According to Punjab government data, 169 farm fires were observed in the state on Wednesday. Overall, 1,692 ¡°fire events¡± have occurred this season so far.

In Haryana, authorities have reported 526 farm fires this season so far.

BCCL

A Supreme Court-mandated body said stricter measures to fight air pollution will come into force in Delhi and its neighbouring cities from October 15 as part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

It, however, told the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to "try and avert" the need to take emergency measures, such as a ban on construction and industries using fuels other than piped natural gas, as the economy is already under stress post-lockdown.

BCCL

Delhi has been experiencing the cleanest air quality in years for some time now, partly thanks to the lockdown, which meant that most of the vehicles remained off the roads and factories were shut.

The recent spike in pollution has been expected, due to the stubble burning and it is likely to worsen further in the coming days and weeks as the winter sets in.