A thick layer of smog enveloped Delhi on Monday as the national capital recorded its first 'very poor' air quality day of the season, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to 324, its highest level in nearly nine months.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Monday's AQI was the worst recorded in the city since February 4, when the index stood at 339. The deterioration came after 271 days, with three air quality monitoring stations registering pollution levels in the 'severe' category.
Jahangirpuri emerged as the most polluted location, recording an AQI of 436 at 4 pm, followed by Rohini at 415 and Punjabi Bagh at 413.
Of the 58 monitoring stations across Delhi, 37 reported 'very poor' air quality, 17 recorded 'poor' levels, three fell in the 'severe' category and only one registered 'moderate' air quality.
The worsening conditions came on the second day of restrictions imposed by the Delhi government to contain pollution levels in the national capital.
๐ง๐ต๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต ๐๐ฒ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ธ
The CPCB classifies an AQI between zero and 50 as 'good', 51 to 100 as 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 as 'moderate', 201 to 300 as 'poor', 301 to 400 as 'very poor' and 401 to 500 as 'severe'.
Monday's readings showed that pollution had spread across most parts of the city, with 40 monitoring stations reporting air quality in the 'very poor' or 'severe' categories.
PM2.5 remained the dominant pollutant, according to the CPCB.
These fine particulate particles, measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, posing significant health risks, particularly to children, elderly people and those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.
Major sources of PM2.5 include vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, construction activities, road dust, waste burning and other combustion-related activities.
๐ง๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ฝ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฒ๐บ๐ถ๐๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป๐ ๐น๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐น๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐๐ผ๐๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐
According to estimates from the Decision Support System (DSS) for Delhi, the transport sector contributed 19.2 per cent to the city's pollution on Monday, making it the largest identified source within the national capital.
Industries operating in Delhi and surrounding areas accounted for 4.2 per cent, while residential activities contributed 4.9 per cent.
The energy sector and waste burning each accounted for 1.8 per cent, while other local sectors contributed 1.3 per cent.
The DSS estimates also indicated that pollution transported from neighbouring districts contributed to Delhi's deteriorating air quality.
Jhajjar accounted for 6.9 per cent of the pollution, followed by Sonipat at 5.1 per cent, Gurugram at 2.9 per cent, Rohtak at 2.7 per cent and Ghaziabad at 2.6 per cent.
Baghpat contributed 2.4 per cent, while Panipat and Bhiwani accounted for 2 per cent each. Gautam Buddha Nagar's contribution was estimated at 1.9 per cent.
๐ฆ๐๐๐ฏ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐๐ฟ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ ๐ด.๐ฐ%
Agricultural residue burning accounted for an estimated 8.4 per cent of Delhi's pollution on Monday, according to the DSS.
The figures highlight the combined impact of emissions generated within the capital and pollutants transported from surrounding areas.
The DSS attributed another 20.7 per cent to other sources, reflecting the range of activities contributing to pollution during the early winter period.
The latest estimates come amid continuing efforts by authorities to monitor farm fires and control emissions from vehicles, industries and other sources.
๐ฉ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฝ๐ผ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฟ ๐น๐ถ๐ธ๐ฒ๐น๐ ๐๐ถ๐น๐น ๐ก๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐บ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฑ
The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi has forecast that the capital's air quality is likely to remain in the 'very poor' category from November 3 to November 5.
Conditions are expected to improve marginally over the subsequent six days, when the AQI may return to the 'poor' category.
The forecast indicates that residents could face several more days of elevated pollution despite the restrictions already introduced by the Delhi government.
With PM2.5 emerging as the principal pollutant and most monitoring stations reporting unhealthy air quality, the latest readings underline the challenge of controlling emissions across Delhi and the wider National Capital Region as winter approaches.