Delhi air quality remains very poor for fourth day
Forecasts suggest pollution levels in the national capital may reach the severe category ahead of Diwali.
Delhi's air quality remained in the 'very poor' category on Thursday, marking the fourth consecutive day of such levels, according to reports from Deccan Herald and ThePrint.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded a 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 369 at 4 pm on Thursday, while ThePrint reported an AQI of 367.
Of the 59 active monitoring stations in the capital, 18 recorded 'severe' air quality. Jahangirpuri registered a high AQI of 454, while Alipur recorded 427.
The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) has predicted that conditions could deteriorate to the 'severe' category from Friday through Sunday.
The Decision Support System (DSS) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences estimated stubble burning contributed 15.601 per cent to pollution on Thursday, a figure expected to rise to 19.201 per cent on Friday before dropping to 1.575 per cent on Saturday.
Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at EnviroCatalysts, said the expected drop in stubble burning's share is due to changing weather rather than fewer farm fires. He noted that as a western disturbance moves in, north-westerly winds may weaken and turn easterly around Diwali, potentially trapping local emissions.