Delhi’s air pollution has been stagnant for several days since entering the ‘severe’ range last week. This triggered the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke Stage 3 restrictions of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
On 19 November, the national capital registered an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 386, according to data recorded by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 5:30 AM. This reading falls in the ‘very poor’ category.
Among 39 air quality monitoring stations across Delhi-NCR, 16 locations registered AQI in the ‘severe’ category (above 400).
Worst Air Quality: Wazirpur recorded the worst AQI at 446 (on a 500-measurement scale). Bawana was close behind at 444, and Jahangirpuri stood at 442.
430-440 Range: Four stations registered AQI in the 430–440 range: Chandni Chowk, Ashok Vihar, DTU, and Vivek Vihar.
Data from the CPCB's Sameer app showed other locations with AQI readings above 400, including Sonia Vihar, Rohini, RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, North Campus, Nehru Nagar, Narela, Mundka, and Anand Vihar.
Nearby regions were also severely affected: Greater Noida recorded 450, Noida stood at 410, and Ghaziabad at 435. Faridabad registered 234, and Gurugram 288.
Control Measures and Forecast
Following GRAP Stage 3, several control measures were implemented, including a ban on construction activities, sprinkling water on roads and traffic restrictions on Delhi-NCR roads. Primary classes across Delhi schools also shifted to a hybrid mode due to the alarming pollution levels.
Respite from air pollution soon on the horizon
Skymet Vice President (Meteorology and Climate Change), Mahesh Palawat, stated that light rain is likely in the coming days, as reported by PTI. These showers may bring colder early mornings and relief from air pollution.
However, the Air Quality Early Warning System of the Ministry of Earth Sciences predicts the city's AQI will likely remain in the ‘very poor’ range for the next five days.
The projection is based on satellite imagery from Monday. It detected 31 farm fire incidents in Punjab, 10 in Haryana, 384 in Uttar Pradesh, and one in Delhi.
The Decision Support System of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, provided contribution data for 18 November. Vehicular emissions contributed 18.1% to pollution, while stubble burning accounted for 5.4%. These contributions are projected to be 20% and 2.8%, respectively, for Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted a minimum temperature of between 9 °C and 11°C for Wednesday. The maximum temperature is expected to remain in the 25–27 degrees Celsius range. The weather department also forecasted a partly cloudy sky and moderate fog for 19 November.
