Delhi’s air quality on Monday improved slightly from severe to very poor as air quality index (AQI) recorded 331 micrograms per cubic (µgm-3).
According to SAFAR ( System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research ), a unit of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), the AQI is unlikely to improve Tuesday as winds at transport level are increasing resulting in more intrusion of farm fires related pollutants into Delhi. Calm local winds also reduce dispersion of pollutants.
“The air quality is expected to remain in the higher end of the very poor category tomorrow. The effective farm fire count is 3125 and its contribution to Delhi’s PM2.5 today was 10%. Tomorrow winds at transport level are forecast to be blowing from the east direction and slowing down causing air quality to improve on November 17. On November 18, winds are expected to be blowing from the east direction which will prevent intrusion of fire related pollutants into Delhi,” it said, “Surface winds are slowing down further on 17th and 18th reducing dispersion. Overall, the AQI is expected to be in the very poor category range for the next three days.”
Values of harmful pollutants, Particulate Matter (PM) 10 and 2.5 were recorded 285 and 160 on the National Ambient Air Quality Index (NAAQI). Both the values are expected to increase on Wednesday as SAFAR forecast 371 and 208.