Delhi was engulfed in smog on Monday with the air quality remaining on the higher end of the 'very poor' category in many areas for the fifth consecutive day. The air quality index (AQI) touched a new low as many areas like Anand Vihar, Shahdara, Ashok Nagar, reported an AQI of 600 and above, the worst this season so far, in the morning. An average AQI stood at 381. Presently, PM2.5 concentration in Delhi is currently 33.6 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value, according to Swiss based IQ Air.
At present, the major contributors to PM2.5 pollution are local and regional sources. The transport sector is the most significant contributor at 11.08 percent, as per the Decision Support System data by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). While the residential sector contribution is 2.919 percent, industries contributed (2.76 percent), construction 1.51 percent, energy sector 1.465 percent, waste burning 1.07 percent, and road dust 0.89 percent.
As per the monitoring stations, in 10 areas of Delhi, the AQI level has crossed 400. Anand Vihar recorded 432, Ashok Vihar 408, Bawana 406, Jahangirpuri 412, Mundka 402, NSIT Dwarka 411, Punjabi Bagh 404, Rohini 406, Vivek Vihar 418, and Wazirpur 411. Due to this, people are facing breathing difficulties and throat irritation. In 25 areas of Delhi, the AQI level is between 300 and 400. Alipur recorded 385, Aya Nagar 369, Mathura Road 362, Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range 381, Dwarka Sector 8 395, IGI Airport 371, Dilshad Garden 302, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium 353, Lodi Road 305, Major Dhyan Chand Stadium 378, Najafgarh 370, Narela 375, Nehru Nagar 398, New Moti Bag 400, North Campus DU 389, Patparganj 400, Pushta 350, RK Puram 392, Shadipur 375, Arvindo Marg 366, and Siri Fort 366.
Faridabad recorded an AQI of 278, Gurugram 276, Ghaziabad 294, Greater Noida 240, and Noida 304. The Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) cautioned that unfavourable meteorological conditions, such as calm winds and low temperatures, are expected to hinder pollutant dispersion.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast smog and mist during the early hours from Monday to Wednesday, with wind speeds predicted to stay under 5 kmph, worsening pollution levels. According to IITM, Ventilation index is likely to be 3100 m2/s on Nov 04, 3000 m2/s on Nov 05, 2800 m2/s on Nov 06. and 3700 m2/s on Nov 07 over Delhi. “The ventilation index lower than 6000 m2/s with average wind speed less than 10 kmph is unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants. Meteorological conditions are likely to be extremely unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants,” it said.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Monday blamed low wind speeds for increasing air pollution in the national capital.Rai said, "According to weather experts, with a dip in temperature, the wind pressure is low in the city, due to which the pollution level is rising. The government is actively working on it." Rai said he would review on Tuesday all measurements taken by various departments and agencies under the Winter Action Plan.The environment minister also expressed hope that the Centre would convene a meeting regarding the use of artificial rain to mitigate the pollution problem. Rai, who wrote to the Centre on the matter on October 23, said he would reach out again if the meeting was not convened.
