Capital chokes as air quality stays ‘very poor’ for 3rd day

For the third consecutive day on Wednesday, the national capital’s air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category, offering little respite to residents choking under thick smog.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) 4 pm bulletin, Delhi’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 353, the worst level recorded this season so far, after readings of 351 on Tuesday and 345 on Monday.

A dull haze enveloped the city through the day, as surface winds failed to pick up beyond 7 kmph. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that the poor dispersion of pollutants is expected to persist in the coming days.

The wind direction has shifted from easterly to westerly, but speeds remain low. Nighttime winds are almost calm, and during the day they reach only 5-7 kmph.

Wind speeds briefly increased on Tuesday, helping clear the emissions from Diwali firecrackers.

However, they began to drop again from Tuesday night as temperatures fell.

Forecasts from the Centre’s Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) indicate that Delhi’s AQI will likely remain in the ‘very poor’ category till Saturday, after which it may fluctuate between ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ for the next six days.

CPCB data showed that out of 39 active monitoring stations, three recorded ‘severe’ pollution levels at 4 pm on Wednesday, while 33 remained in the ‘very poor’ category.

Pollution on Diwali less than previous years: CM

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday said air pollution in the city on Diwali night was less this year as compared to the previous year. Her assertion came a day after monitoring stations showed that Delhi’s air pollution hit a four-year high on Diwali, with PM 2.5 peaking at 675.

The chief minister said she will meet a Punjab minister on Thursday to inform the state government about Delhi’s concerns over crop residue burning, a major cause of pollution in the national capital during winters.