Air pollution: Delhi's air quality remains ‘very poor’ as AQI hits 387, visibility affected

Delhi air pollution: Delhi's air quality remained on the brink of reaching the ‘severe’ level, with the air quality index (AQI) recorded at 387 (‘very poor’) as of noon on Friday.

Earlier in the day, the AQI was measured at 390 at 11 am compared to Thursday’s 24-hour average AQI of 377, both indicating ‘very poor’ conditions. The pollution also affected visibility across the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that visibility at Safdarjung was 800 metre around 9.30 a.m., improving to 1,000 metre by 10 am, and further to 1,200 metre by 11. 30 am.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that by noon on Friday, 18 out of Delhi’s 40 AQI monitoring stations reported ‘severe’ air quality, an increase from 12 stations as of 4 pm on Thursday. Some of the most impacted areas included Wazirpur (AQI 431), Rohini and Jahangirpuri (AQI 434), and Bawana (AQI 430). According to CPCB, AQI categories are defined as follows: 0-50 ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’, and above 400 as ‘severe’.

The Centre’s Decision Support System (DSS) reported a decrease in the contribution of stubble burning to Delhi’s pollution on Thursday, dropping to 17.8% after being over 20% from Monday to Wednesday.

The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) for Delhi predicted that the AQI will remain in the ‘very poor’ range over the coming days. The AQEWS bulletin at noon stated, “The air quality is expected to stay in the ‘Very Poor’ category on Friday and remain in this category from Saturday through Monday. For the following six days, the forecast indicates a continuation in the ‘very poor’ range.”

AQEWS data also noted that Delhi’s surface wind is likely to vary in direction, with a speed of 4-8 km/h, including influences from north-westerly, easterly, and south-easterly winds.