Industrial emissions and low wind speeds drive pollution spike in Jahangirpuri
The Jahangirpuri monitoring station recorded a severe air quality index on Wednesday amid rising pollution levels across Delhi.
The air quality index (AQI) at the Jahangirpuri monitoring station reached 452 at 2.05 pm on Wednesday, falling into the severe category, according to reports by The New Indian Express, Hindustan Times and The Tribune.
The station has recorded the highest AQI among Delhi's monitoring stations for several days. Its 24-hour average AQI was 462 on Tuesday, 436 on Monday, 378 on Sunday and 243 on October 31.
Sunil Dahiya, founder and lead analyst at Envirocatalysts, suggested that high pollution levels may result from the interaction of industrial activity, poor weather and restricted air movement. He noted that combustion from local industries leads to high PM2.5 emissions.
Dahiya also stated that declining wind speeds have caused pollutants to accumulate and that a tall building near the station might be blocking the dispersion of pollutants.
Delhi's overall AQI was 378 at 3.05 pm on Wednesday, while the city's 24-hour average was 350. This follows a 24-hour average of 324 on Monday and 261 on Sunday.
The city is currently under Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan. This stage involves increased water sprinkling, mechanical road sweeping and stricter dust control at construction sites.