Delhi air quality recorded as very poor on Diwali
The city's average Air Quality Index settled at 376 on Sunday, with experts forecasting a shift to the severe category on Monday.
Delhi's air quality was in the 'very poor' category on Sunday, November 8, as a thick layer of smog reduced visibility across the capital, according to reports by Hindustan Times, The Hindu and Times of India.
The average Air Quality Index (AQI) for the day settled at 376, an increase from 369 recorded on Saturday. PM2.5 was the predominant pollutant, with firecracker emissions adding to the levels of particulate matter.
Of the 59 monitoring stations recording data, Jahangirpuri recorded the worst AQI, which was reported between 460 and 463. While reports on the number of 'severe' stations varied, the Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) forecast that air quality is likely to turn 'severe' from November 9 and remain in that category for a few days.
Weather and air quality experts attributed the deterioration to unfavourable meteorological conditions, Diwali celebrations, vehicular emissions, and the peak stubble-burning season in neighbouring states. The EWS noted that a ventilation index below 6,000 square metres per second and average wind speeds of less than 10 kilometres per hour are unfavourable for pollutant dispersion.
According to the Decision Support System (DSS) for Delhi, the transport sector was the largest contributor to pollution on Sunday at 19 per cent. Stubble burning contributed 3.5 per cent on Sunday and is projected to be around 2.99 per cent on Monday.