Attributing to increasing stubble burning incidents in the national Capital’s neighborhood, SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research ) said, “the effective fire counts were 1234 and its share 15 percent in polluting air as transport level winds were favorable for intrusion.”
In its air quality forecast, it said the overall AQI on the National Ambient Air Quality Index (NAAQI) is likely to degrade in next two days.
As Delhi’s Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs ) stepped on city road to generate awareness among masses to follow ‘Red Light On, Gaadi (Vehicle ) Off’ campaign to reduce vehicular pollution, the AQI in most busiest ITO intersection was recorded at 202.
According to pollution monitoring agencies, the total AQI is expected to worsen to the higher end of poor in the next three days. “If there is no rain in the following two days, the share of stubble burning would likely grow,” according to SAFAR.
Particulate Matter (PM ) 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations were 82 in the ‘poor’ category and 202 in the ‘moderate’ category, respectively. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), some sections of Delhi, including Chandni Chowk and Rohini, had ‘bad’ air quality, with AQI values of 230 and 232, respectively, while Lodhi Road had a ‘moderate’ AQI of 165.
SAFAR in its short-range air quality weather forecast said that Delhi’s AQI recorded the moderate category. As per SAFAR methodology effective fire counts are 1234 and its share is 15 percent in Delhi’s PM2.5 as transport level winds are favourable for intrusion. “However local winds are moderate that enhances dispersion of pollutants keeping AQI in moderate category.
Share of fire emissions is expected to increase in next two days. In presence of local dry weather and north-westerly wind local dust emission leads to increase of PM10. Additional dust input from desert areas via transport is very likely,” it added.
An AQI of 0-50 is regarded as good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor, and 401-500 severe.
