Delhi's Air Quality Jumps To Very Poor Quality Amid Stubble Burning

After a spell of clean air and several days on which a clear blue sky was visible, seasonal changes and resumption of businesses and commercial activities have Delhiites gasping for fresh air.

Air quality in "very poor" category

The national capital's air quality was in the "very poor" category on Tuesday morning, the first time this season, with calm winds and low temperatures allowing accumulation of pollutants. According to the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), the air quality deteriorates in the national capital with the rising of pollutants in the atmosphere. The Air Quality Index (AQI) is at 332 in 'very poor' category at PM 10 was 320 and PM 2.5 at 389 at ITO.

Reuters

AQI 30 at start of April

The national capital had recorded "moderate" air quality days (when the air quality index, or AQI, reads 101-200) for a week since September 9, with AQI from a week later standing at 144. In comparison, August recorded four ¡°good¡± days (when AQI was 0-50) and 27 ¡°satisfactory¡± days (when AQI was 51-100), as the air quality never slipped to the ¡°moderate¡± level. In April first week, the AQI was recorded at 30, which rose from a bare 6 in March end. This was better than the average of the last four years where the AQI averaged 115 (moderate). However, this good news was short-lived.

PTI

Stubble burning -- one of the causes

As farmers in Punjab started early stubble burning this year, pollution levels shot up by the end of September. The average AQI for the last seven days of September was 145, which is 7.4 per cent worse than what the capital recorded in the last four years on an average. Data of the last four years shows that the real trouble begins when the first week of October ends. Trends show post-October 8, Delhi starts recording an AQI of over 200 (Poor), and then, there's no coming back. Trends also show that by the end of October, Delhi's air quality wades into the 'severe' zone when AQI value surpasses 400. Breathing this air is equivalent to smoking around 20 cigarettes a day.

ANI

End of October to see worst days

With combustion activities including biomass and waste burning, vehicular emissions at an all-time low since 1990s, the farm fires might be the major cause behind the rising pollution. Having said that, as per data farm fires are marginal at present and their impact would be felt after the second week of October.

AP

Meanwhile, the Delhi government has already launched a campaign, "War against Pollution" (Yuddh Pradushan ke Viruddh) on October 9. A tree transplantation policy has also been passed in this regard in a recent cabinet meeting.

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'.