A dense layer of smog blanketed Delhi on Tuesday morning, with the air quality index (AQI) measured in the “very poor” category at an average of 352. Visibility was reduced due to smog as well as shallower to moderate fog and mist during the morning hours, while it is expected to remain so in the evening and night. According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, Mist/Shallow fog reported at Safdarjung airport.
PM2.5 concentration is currently 40.4 times the World Health Organization annual PM2.5 guideline value. Some of the areas worst affected by air pollution included Wazirpur (AQI at 421), Jahangirpuri (419) and Anand Vihar (403), where the air quality dropped to ‘severe’ levels. The regions of the national capital like Ashok Vihar (392), Vivek Vihar (385), Burari(374), Bawana (392), Pusa (362), Dwarka (355), and Shadipur (362) among others have recorded ‘very poor’ air quality as per reports. The AQI in Lodhi Road remained in ‘poor’ category at 235.
In many parts of Delhi, roads, bridges, buildings, offices, and flyovers, were hardly visible as they were covered by a thick layer of smog. Predicted maximum mixing depth was estimated to be 2750 m on November 12.
According to Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology ( IITM), the ventilation index in Delhi was likely to be 14,500 square metres per second (m²/s). This index measures the atmosphere's capacity to disperse air pollutants. A ventilation index lower than 6,000 m²/s with an average wind speed of less than 10 kilometres per hour (kmph) is unfavourable for the dispersion of pollutants.
The transport sector is the most significant contributor at 15.496 percent, as per the Decision Support System data by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). While the residential sector contribution is 3. 189 percent, industries contributed 3.197 percent, construction 2. 156 percent, energy sector 1. 399 percent, waste burning 1.147 percent, and road dust 1.165 percent.
According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the air quality is likely to be in the 'very poor' category from November 12 to 14. A layer of toxic foam was seen floating on the surface of the Yamuna River in Delhi's Kalindi Kunj area. Visuals shared on the social media from the area showing a layer of haze in the sky as the air quality remained in the 'very poor' category on Tuesday.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that mainly clear sky condition with predominant surface wind from variable directions with wind speed reaching 04-08 kmph prevailed during past 24hr. Meanwhile, MCD officials said on Monday that they are planning to double its parking charges to discourage the use of private vehicles and curb air pollution caused by vehicular emissions. A proposal for this will be tabled at the upcoming MCD House meeting scheduled for November 14, coinciding with the elections for Delhi's next mayor and deputy mayor. The idea of raising parking charges under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)-II has been on the agenda for some time but has been repeatedly sent back to the House for reconsideration. There has been slight rise in maximum and minimum temperature over Delhi/NCR during past 24hr. Delhi recorded a warm morning on Tuesday, with the minimum temperature reaching 17.9 degrees Celsius.
