Delhi‘s Air Quality Reaches Critical Levels: The Worst in Over Nine Months
NEW DELHI: A dramatic decline in air quality hit Delhi on Sunday, as still winds and plummeting temperatures exacerbated the accumulation of hazardous pollutants in the atmosphere.
Within just 24 hours, the Air Quality Index (AQI) soared from a concerning 316 on Saturday to a staggering 382 by Sunday, distinguishing this as the most alarming AQI reading in over nine months. According to Central Pollution Control Board data, the last time conditions were this dire was on January 31, when an AQI of 392 was recorded.
Notably, the highest AQI recorded in October was 364, observed on October 23, falling within the ‘very poor’ category. Experts predict that the air quality in Delhi is poised to remain in this ‘very poor’ range until at least Wednesday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) anticipates mist or smog conditions during the early morning hours from Monday through Wednesday. This change in air quality is attributed to a shift in wind patterns, with the wind direction changing from north-westerly to southeasterly on Sunday. As the wind speed dropped to minimal levels during this transition phase, local temperatures began to decline as well.
Despite October’s usual warmth, with nighttime readings typically 3-4 degrees above average, Delhi experienced the season’s lowest minimum temperature on Sunday at 16.5 degrees Celsius—just one degree above normal. This marks a significant drop, as the minimum temperature had settled at 21.1 degrees Celsius on October 31.
“As the wind direction is changing to south-easterly, the winds turned calm during the daytime, leading to the accumulation of harmful pollutants in the air,” said Mahesh Palawat, vice-chairman of Skymet Meteorology. “Local winds are expected to be light during the daytime and calm during the night. Since local winds won’t intensify over the next couple of days, this will adversely affect air quality,” he explained.
The spike in AQI was evident, with readings escalating from 366 at 8 AM to 382 at 4 PM. This alarming increase was based on the average calculated by the CPCB across 39 monitoring stations. Shockingly, readings surpassed the 400 mark at 14 stations, placing them firmly in the ‘severe’ category. Anand Vihar emerged as the most polluted area, recording an AQI of 436, followed closely by Nehru Nagar at 430 and Punjabi Bagh at 425.
“Meteorological conditions are likely to be extremely unfavourable for the dispersion of pollutants,” the Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) for Delhi announced. The EWS forecast indicates that the air quality will likely persist within the very poor range until Wednesday, and it may continue to fluctuate between the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories for the subsequent six days, starting from November 6.
The contribution of stubble burning to Delhi’s PM2.5 levels stood at 14.96% on Saturday, according to the Decision Support System. While southeasterly winds are anticipated to dominate, the influence of stubble burning is expected to decline. Satellite imagery reported 351 residue burning events on Sunday alone, with 216 detected in Punjab, 19 in Haryana, 16 in Uttar Pradesh, 36 in Rajasthan, and 67 in Madhya Pradesh, as compiled by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute.
**Interview with Dr. Anjali Mehta, Environmental Scientist on Delhi’s Air Quality Crisis**
**Editor**: Welcome, Dr. Mehta, and thank you for joining us today. As we’ve seen recently, Delhi’s Air Quality Index has reached alarming levels. Can you tell us your thoughts on the current situation?
**Dr. Mehta**: Thank you for having me. Yes, it’s indeed concerning that Delhi’s AQI has risen to 382, marking the most critical levels we’ve seen in over nine months. This drastic change is primarily due to still winds and a drop in temperatures, which have led to the accumulation of pollutants in the air.
**Editor**: What are the primary sources of these pollutants that contribute to such a high AQI?
**Dr. Mehta**: The key contributors are a mix of vehicular emissions, industrial discharges, construction dust, and, of course, stubble burning from neighboring states. With the seasonal drop in temperatures, the pollutants tend to settle closer to the ground, worsening air quality significantly.
**Editor**: You mentioned a combination of factors leading to this crisis. Can you elaborate on the recent weather conditions and their role?
**Dr. Mehta**: Absolutely. The recent shift in wind patterns, from north-westerly to southeasterly, and a decrease in wind speed have trapped pollutants over the city. Moreover, the unexpected drop in nighttime temperatures to about 16.5 degrees Celsius, which is quite low for October, further exacerbates the settling of these pollutants.
**Editor**: What health impacts can residents expect given this drop in air quality?
**Dr. Mehta**: An AQI of 382 falls into the ‘unhealthy’ category, which implies that everyone may start to experience health effects, and members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects. People with pre-existing respiratory conditions, the elderly, and children are particularly at risk. I would advise residents to limit outdoor activities and use masks if they must go outside.
**Editor**: Do you foresee any change in air quality in the coming days?
**Dr. Mehta**: Experts predict that air quality will remain in the ‘very poor’ range for at least the next few days, potentially improving only after a significant change in weather patterns. The India Meteorological Department has indicated that we may see mist or smog conditions through Wednesday, which won’t help improve the situation.
**Editor**: Thank you for those insights, Dr. Mehta. Lastly, what can the residents of Delhi do to protect themselves during this time?
**Dr. Mehta**: It’s crucial for residents to stay informed and track the AQI levels regularly. Using air purifiers indoors, wearing masks outdoors, and avoiding strenuous exercise outside can help mitigate exposure. Additionally, staying indoors during peak pollution hours, usually late evening and early morning, can be beneficial.
**Editor**: Thank you so much, Dr. Mehta, for sharing your expertise with us today. Let’s hope for an improvement in Delhi’s air quality soon!
**Dr. Mehta**: Thank you for having me. It’s crucial to address these issues collectively for a healthier future.
