Delhi air quality remains very poor as AQI stays above 300
Firecracker emissions and stubble burning continue to impact the capital's air quality as the AQI remains in the very poor category.
Delhi's air quality remained in the very poor category on Wednesday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 308 at 8:40 am, according to reports from The Assam Tribune and The Times of India. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded a 24-hour average AQI of 313 at 4 pm on Wednesday.
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) real-time source apportionment data showed that firecracker emissions contributed 7.4 per cent to pollution between 1 am and 9 am on Wednesday. This follows a period where firecrackers accounted for over 80 per cent of the pollution load on Monday.
Other significant contributors on Wednesday morning included secondary organic aerosols at 22.7 per cent, domestic solid biofuel burning at 22.3 per cent, and vehicles at 19.3 per cent. At DTU, the air quality was recorded in the severe category at 414.
Stubble burning is forecast to contribute 20.3 per cent to the pollution levels on Thursday due to consistent northwesterly winds. The city's air quality is expected to stay within the very poor range for the next two days.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast fog or mist during the early morning hours in Delhi from November 11 to 16. The Delhi government is currently using water sprinklers across the city to manage particulate matter.