Delhi records worst air quality in 287 days as AQI hits 350, 10 stations turn severe

Delhi recorded its worst air quality in 287 days on Tuesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) settling at 350 in the ‘very poor’ category and 10 monitoring stations reporting ‘severe’ pollution levels, as deteriorating atmospheric conditions continued to affect the national capital.

The city last recorded a higher AQI on January 20 this year, when the index stood at 378. Tuesday's reading marked a further deterioration from Monday's AQI of 324, which had prompted authorities to enforce Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Of the 57 air quality monitoring stations across Delhi, 10 recorded severe air quality, 35 were in the very poor category and 12 reported poor air quality. Jahangirpuri emerged as the most polluted location, recording an AQI of 462.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between zero and 50 is classified as good, 51 and 100 as satisfactory, 101 and 200 as moderate, 201 and 300 as poor, 301 and 400 as very poor, and 401 and 500 as severe.

𝗣𝗠𝟮.𝟱 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘀 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁

PM2.5 remained the dominant pollutant in the capital, raising concerns over exposure to fine particulate matter that can penetrate deep into the respiratory system.

These particles, measuring 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, can enter the lungs and bloodstream, increasing the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular complications.

The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi has forecast that pollution levels are likely to remain in the very poor category between November 4 and 6.

Its extended six-day outlook indicates that air quality could fluctuate between the very poor and severe categories, suggesting that residents may continue to face elevated pollution levels.

𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗯𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝘃𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗸𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀

Data from the Decision Support System (DSS) showed that transport emissions accounted for 15.8 per cent of Delhi's pollution, while stubble burning contributed 15.3 per cent.

Among other local sources, residential activities contributed 3.9 per cent, industries in Delhi and its periphery 3 per cent, construction activities 2.2 per cent, waste burning 1.4 per cent, energy production 1.2 per cent and road dust 1.2 per cent.

Other sectors accounted for another 1 per cent, according to the DSS assessment.

The figures highlighted the combined impact of vehicular emissions, agricultural residue burning and local pollution sources on the capital's deteriorating air quality.

𝗡𝗖𝗥 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗱𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱

Pollution transported from neighbouring districts also contributed to Delhi's air quality deterioration.

According to the DSS, Jhajjar accounted for 8.8 per cent of the pollution contribution from surrounding regions, followed by Gurugram at 4.1 per cent, Sonipat at 2.6 per cent, Rohtak at 2.5 per cent and Mewat at 2 per cent.

The findings underscored the regional nature of the pollution problem, with emissions originating outside Delhi adding to the city's existing pollution burden.

The contribution from surrounding districts has remained an important consideration in air quality management across the National Capital Region, where pollution sources extend beyond administrative boundaries.

𝟮𝟭𝟵 𝗳𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮

Satellite monitoring detected 219 farm fire incidents across six states on November 2, with Punjab reporting the highest number at 98.

Rajasthan recorded 67 incidents, followed by Madhya Pradesh with 48, Uttar Pradesh with four and Haryana with two.

No agricultural residue-burning incidents were detected in Delhi or Uttarakhand on the day, according to data from the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modelling from Space (CREAMS) Lab at the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute.

Between September 15 and November 2, a total of 3,535 farm fire incidents were detected across the monitored states.

Punjab accounted for the highest number at 1,612, followed by Rajasthan with 738, Madhya Pradesh with 614, Uttar Pradesh with 349, Uttarakhand with 176, Haryana with 44 and Delhi with two.

The stubble-burning season runs from September 15 to November 30. Delhi recorded its first farm fire incident of the season on September 19 and the second on October 24.

𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗣 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗜𝗜 𝗺𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗰𝗲

Delhi was brought under Stage II of GRAP on Monday after the AQI reached 324, marking the first day of the season when the city's overall air quality entered the very poor category.

The measures are intended to curb pollution from major sources, including road dust, vehicles, construction activities and other emission-generating operations.

With the AQI climbing further to 350 on Tuesday, attention has shifted to the effectiveness of the restrictions and the possibility of additional measures if pollution levels continue to worsen.

The forecast of very poor to severe air quality over the coming days indicates that the capital could face a prolonged period of elevated pollution exposure, with both local emissions and regional sources contributing to the deteriorating conditions.