- Delhi records most polluted October start in four years.
- Air Quality Index (AQI) settled at 166, in 'moderate' category.
- Stubble burning incidents and weak ventilation affect air quality.
Delhi recorded its most polluted start to October in four years on Thursday, as the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) settled at 166 in the 'moderate' category.
According to data from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the last time the national capital registered a higher AQI on October 1 was in 2022, when it reached 186, also falling within the 'moderate' range.
ALSO READ: Delhi AQI Climbs To 129 In Moderate Category As Stubble Burning Cases Recorded In Six States
Of 44 monitoring stations across Delhi, 37 reported 'moderate' air quality, five recorded 'poor' air quality, and two reported 'satisfactory' air quality, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. Under the CPCB classification, an AQI of 0–50 is considered 'good', 51–100 'satisfactory', 101–200 'moderate', 201–300 'poor', 301–400 'very poor', and 401–500 'severe'.
Delhi Air Quality Forecast
The Air Quality Early Warning System has forecast that Delhi's air quality will stay in the 'moderate' category from October 2 to 4, and is likely to remain between 'moderate' and 'satisfactory' over the next six days.
The air quality could be affected by weak ventilation conditions. According to the system, a ventilation index of less than 6,000 square metres per second, along with an average wind speed of less than 10 kmph, is unfavourable for the dispersion of pollutants and can lead to accumulation of pollutants near the surface.
Stubble Burning Incidents Reported
According to data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, 23 stubble-burning incidents were recorded on October 1, four in Punjab, five in Uttar Pradesh, and 14 in Madhya Pradesh. Between September 15 and October 1, a total of 137 farm fire incidents were recorded across these regions, including one incident reported in Delhi on September 19.
Delhi Weather Update
The maximum temperature at Safdarjung, Delhi's primary weather station, settled at 35.2 degrees Celsius, 0.5 degrees above normal. Palam recorded a maximum of 33.5 degrees Celsius, 1.6 degrees below normal, while Lodi Road recorded 35.3 degrees Celsius, 2.3 degrees above normal. The Ridge recorded a maximum temperature of 34.4 degrees Celsius, 0.5 degrees below normal, while Ayanagar recorded 35.6 degrees Celsius, 1 degree above normal.
On the minimum temperature front, Safdarjung recorded 24 degrees Celsius, 0.7 degrees above normal, while Palam recorded 22 degrees Celsius, 1.5 degrees below normal. Lodi Road recorded a minimum of 22.2 degrees Celsius, 0.2 degrees above normal. The Ridge recorded a minimum temperature of 19.6 degrees Celsius, 3.3 degrees below normal, while Ayanagar recorded 22.7 degrees Celsius, 0.1 degrees above normal.
For Friday, the weather agency has forecast mainly clear skies, with the minimum temperature likely to be around 23 degrees Celsius and the maximum at 34 degrees Celsius.
(With Inputs From PTI)