CIOInsider India Magazine
Delhi's Marginally Improved Air Quality Remains in the 'Very Poor' Category of AQI
According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Delhi's air quality improved marginally, reaching the lower end of the 'very poor' category with an AQI of 318.
The improvement comes on the eve of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) government's submission to the Supreme Court of a shutdown proposal to further decrease growing air pollution. The top Court declared the spike in pollution levels in Delhi an 'emergency situation' and recommended a lockdown in the national capital.
Apart from in schools, colleges, and other educational institutions where exams are being held for a week, the Delhi government has announced the closure of physical classes in schools, colleges, and other educational institutions.
Except for those involved in critical services, all government departments, agencies, and autonomous organizations have been urged to ask employees to work from home. The AAP government has also stated that no construction or demolition activities will be permitted in the city until November 17.
The AQI is expected to improve by soon, according to SAFAR, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality forecasting agency, “since winds at transport level are slowing down, resulting in decreased incursion of farm fires related pollution into Delhi”.
"On November 17, it's likely to be near the top of the extremely terrible category," they added
Only a day before, there were 3445 active farm fires, accounting for 12 percent of Delhi's PM2.5.
"With the implementation of a two-day lockdown and limits on anthropogenic activity generating pollutants, air quality may improve slightly but is likely to remain in the extremely poor category if the share of stubble burning does not increase”, according to SAFAR's bulletin.
According to SAFAR, AQI is expected to worsen from November 16 night onwards due to calm wind conditions. "It's likely to be in the top end of the extremely poor category on November 17," they added.
The amount of pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), particularly in Noida and Gurugram, has also improved slightly.
The AQI is likely to worsen from November 16 night onwards, according to SAFAR, due to calm wind conditions. "On November 17, it's likely to be near the top of the extremely terrible category," they added.
Pollution levels in the National Capital Region (NCR), particularly in Noida and Gurugram, have reduced slightly as well.
