Stubble burning in adjoining regions : Air quality may turn ‘severe’

New Delhi: The national capital's air quality was on the brink of turning ‘severe’ on Thursday due to stubble burning in the adjoining regions and unfavorable meteorological conditions, authorities said.

The overall air quality index of Delhi was recorded at 392, which falls in the 'very poor' category and is just eight points from turning severe.

On Tuesday, Delhi's air quality slipped to ‘severe’ category, prompting authorities to issue a slew of directions, including ban on construction activities, along with halting operations of industries using coal and biomass as fuel between November 1 and 10.

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology said the prevailing meteorological conditions are less favourable for dispersal of pollutants for the next two days due to low wind speed.

Moreover, authorities said that due to pollutants caused by biomass burning in the adjoining regions of Delhi and unfavorable meteorological conditions, the air quality is likely to remain in the 'very poor' category on Thursday and Friday.

The centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) said about 12 per cent of pollution by PM2.5 (presence of particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) on Thursday was due to stubble burning.

The PM2.5 was recorded at 235. Fine particulates can be a matter of more serious health concern than PM10 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres).

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data PM10 level in Delhi stood at 425.

The CPCB on Thursday put up guidelines for the public to file complaints of air pollution in Delhi-NCR on its social media page, website, and through its mobile application.

It has also directed the pollution control bodies of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi to start criminal prosecution against agencies or individuals who do not comply with directives to check pollutant levels.

The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) has urged Delhiites to use public transport for the first 10 days of November to keep a check on pollution.

Noting that private vehicles contribute to 40 per cent pollution in Delhi-NCR, the EPCA urged people to reduce use of private vehicles during this period.

Pleasant weather

Pleasant weather conditions prevailed in the national capital on Thursday, with the maximum temperature settling at 31.1 degrees Celsius, a notch above the season's average.

The minimum temperature was recorded at 16 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the year, said a Meteorological Department official. The humidity oscillated between 94 and 41 per cent.

The weatherman has forecast partly cloudy skies along with mist in the morning for Friday.

"The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover at 31 and 17 degrees Celsius, respectively," the weatherman said.