Post Diwali, air quality deteriorates in most cities across Indo-Gangetic plains; Delhi’s AQI at 5-year high

Vibha Sharma

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 5

A day after Diwali, toxic smog descended across North India, including Delhi-NCR, as people flouted firecrackers’ ban imposed by state governments. However, aided by weather conditions and anthropogenic activities, including burning of stubble with emissions from farm fires peaking at “36 per cent”, most cities across the Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP) are recording air pollution levels in ‘very poor’ and ‘hazardous’ categories

According to data compiled by ‘Climate Trends’, delayed monsoon withdrawal and the La Nina factor have combined to impact meteorological conditions favourable for poor air quality across the Indo-Gangetic plains (IGP), and result in a possible “record-breaking cold” in December and January.

As La Nina makes an appearance for the second time in a row, meteorologists say many parts of North can expect to see prolonged spells of pollution in coming months. A lower number of crop residue-burning incidents and widespread rain and snow in October kept pollution under check until recently, but the situation is changing.

While changing weather pattern have the imprint of anthropogenic activities, experts warn that the La Nina factor is all “set to bring record-breaking low temperatures during December and January”.

“Haryana has already surpassed the fire counts registered last year for crop residue burning, followed by Uttar Pradesh which is catching up fast with the count in 2020.  Seeing the trend in other states, Punjab is expected to pick up pace in the coming days as well”, they say

“This winter chill is likely to aggravate air pollution across IGP, which will be further aggravated by seasonal spikes like the delayed peak of stubble-burning season due to extended stay of Monsoon 2021, and firecrackers on Diwali”, they add.

“There is a large probability of La Nina that may result in extreme cold from December 2021-February 2022. The factor is expected to peak during the said period. Although there is no rule book, with El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) getting colder than earlier estimates, the confidence in this forecast is increasing. However, winter forecast is affected by many other factors,” says G P Sharma, President Meteorology and Climate Change, Skymet Weather.

In those terms, next two weeks will be crucial as stubble-burning may peak. Warning people to exercise extra caution, they say that “with dipping temperatures, the threat of a vicious smog circle looms large for north-western plains”

“With temperature dropping and meteorological factors like wind speed slowing down, wind direction, haze setting in  pollution levels are again in ‘very poor’ and ‘hazardous’ categories in most cities across the IGP”

Delhi’s post-Diwali air quality poorest in 5 years: CPCB data

Meanwhile, Delhi recorded its poorest post-Diwali air quality in five years on Friday with a deadly cocktail of noxious fumes from firecrackers and stubble burning pushing the 24-average AQI to 462, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) the day after Diwali was 435 last year, 368 in 2019; 390 in 2018; 403 in 2017 and 445 in 2016. The AQI was 382 on Diwali day this year, 414 in 2020; 337 in 2019; 281 in 2018; 319 in 2017 and 431 in 2016.

A thick layer of acrid smog hung over Delhi-NCR on Friday after residents flouted the ban on firecrackers to celebrate Diwali and emissions from farm fires in the region peaked at 36 per cent.

Residents in many parts of Delhi-NCR complained of an itchy throat and watery eyes on Friday.

The neighbouring cities of Faridabad (469), Greater Noida (464), Ghaziabad (470), Gurgaon (472) and Noida (475) also recorded ‘severe’ air pollution levels. —with PTI