As winter nears, Delhi's air quality remains elevated for the sixth consecutive day on Sunday with several areas reporting Air Quality Index (AQI) readings in the 'poor and 'very poor' categories.
The air quality plunged further a day ahead of Diwali, with the Akshardham area recording an AQI of 426 - categorised as 'severe' - marking one of the highest pollution levels in the city this season, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Anand Vihar area followed with an AQI of 418. Barapulla reported an AQI of 290 on Sunday morning, falling under the 'poor' category.
Water sprinklers have been deployed at the India Gate in order to curb rising pollution levels. The area recorded an AQI of 269 on Sunday morning.
On Saturday, Delhi's average AQI was recorded at 268, placing it in the 'poor' zone. However, nine out of 38 monitoring stations in the capital had already tipped into the "very poor" category, with Anand Vihar (389), Wazirpur (351), Jahangirpuri (310), and Dwarka (310) among the worst-affected.
The pollution spike is attributed largely to increased vehicular emissions, the city's primary source of pollution on Saturday, accounting for 15.6% of total emissions, according to the Decision Support System.
In the National Capital Region, Ghaziabad recorded a "very poor" AQI of 324, while Noida (298) and Gurugram (258) remained in the 'poor' bracket.
The Air Quality Early Warning System has forecast similar conditions over the next few days, with no immediate improvement in sight as the city inches closer to Diwali, a period often associated with further air quality deterioration due to firecracker use and stubble burning in neighbouring states.
Meanwhile, weather conditions also remain stagnant, providing little help in dispersing pollutants. Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 33.5 degree Celsius on Saturday, 0.9 degree Celsius above normal, while the minimum stood at 19.6 degrees Celsius. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts clear skies for Sunday, with temperatures expected to range between 19 degree Celsius and 33 degree Celsius.
With pollution levels crossing into the "severe" zone in some parts of the city, authorities are expected to intensify pollution control measures as air quality continues to decline.
Source: India Today