The air pollution crisis in the capital city shows no signs of abating, with its air quality slipping back into the ‘very poor’ category on Friday.
The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 310, as per data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This follows a marginal improvement in the air quality for two days, when AQI was ‘poor’, leading to stringent Grap-4 curbs being lifted.
According to the CPCB, an AQI between 0 and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 to 500 ‘severe’.
At Lodhi road station, the air quality was recorded as ‘moderate’ with an AQI of 185, while it was ‘very poor’ in at least 24 stations, including Jahangirpuri and Anand Vihar, which recorded an AQI of 395, the highest amongst all 40 stations.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday urged residents to continue following pollution-control measures, especially since weather conditions are likely to turn unfavourable with increased chances of dense fog and haze, which exacerbate pollution levels.
“According to the weather department and past data, the impact of western disturbance will be visible in Delhi in the next couple of days. The weather will deteriorate again and there is a strong possibility of heavy haze,” he said, warning residents of an approaching western disturbance.
Also Read: Delhi’s air quality improves, GRAP-4 curbs lifted
The minister also appealed to the people not to take out vehicles without valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) Certificates and to avoid unnecessary travel.
“Even though the 50 per cent work-from-home norm has been withdrawn, I request people to avoid using their vehicles unless absolutely necessary,” he implored.
Emphasising on community participation, Sirsa said small steps like not burning garbage or lighting fires at night can help mitigate the air pollution crisis, since burning biomass significantly contributes to pollution.
“Delhi must remain on high alert to prevent a fresh spike in pollution levels. The clear weather we saw over the past couple of days may not last. We all need to work together to keep Delhi’s air clean,” he added.
Since the lifting of GRAP-4 restrictions re-allows the entry of vehicles below BS-VI norms into Delhi, Sirsa said it would be better if such vehicles are avoided.
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS), the air quality is likely be in the ‘very poor’ category for the next six days.
Weather-wise, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the maximum and minimum temperatures in Delhi on Friday are likely to be in the ranges of 21 degrees Celsius to 23 degrees Celsius and 6 degrees Celsius to 8 degrees Celsius respectively.
The current average wind speed is less than 10 kmph, which is unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants, the department rued.
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