Delhi is bracing for a significant increase in air pollution levels, primarily because of stubble burning in neighbouring states. This seasonal practice will drastically reduce the city’s air quality in the coming days. On Sunday, stubble burning contributed 1.7% of total PM2.5 levels; however, by Monday, October 21, this proportion is considered to grow to 2.8%. The situation worsens on Tuesday, with stubble burning predicted to contribute roughly 7% of PM2.5 levels in Delhi’s air.

PM2.5, or fine particulate matter, refers to minuscule particles in the air that are 2.5 micrometres or smaller—far thinner than a human hair. These particles are hazardous because they can go deep into the lungs and even into the bloodstream, creating major health hazards. The annual rise in Delhi Air Pollution levels PM2.5, primarily caused by stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, significantly impacts Delhi’s air quality.

Deteriorating Air Quality in Delhi

According to the CPCB, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 265 at 11 a.m. on Sunday, placing it in the ‘poor’ category. On Saturday, the 24-hour average AQI dipped into the ‘poor’ category at 278, up slightly from the previous day’s 292. However, the situation is likely to worsen. The AQI is expected to fall into the ‘Very Poor’ zone by Monday and remain there for many days.

An AQI of 0 to 50 is regarded as “good.” 51 to 100 are counted as ‘satisfactory,’ 101 to 200 is ‘moderate,’ 201 to 300 is ‘poor,’ 301 to 400 is ‘very poor,’ and anything above 400 is deemed ‘severe.’ The predicted fall in Delhi’s air quality highlights the continuous issue of agricultural residue burning in neighbouring states, which emits massive amounts of smoke and particulates into the atmosphere each autumn.

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Meteorological Conditions Provide Limited Relief

While stubble burning’s contribution to Delhi Air Pollution is projected to increase, certain weather circumstances may bring some relief. Meteorological statistics indicate that the ventilation index—a measure of how well pollutants disperse—and the height at which gases combine in the atmosphere will likely improve. These improvements may theoretically help in the frequent dispersion of pollutants, partially alleviating the situation. However, the overall pollutant load, primarily from stubble burning, could still outweigh any slight advantages.

Interestingly, wind patterns have mainly flowed from the east, which usually results in less pollution from stubble burning. Despite this, Delhi’s air quality has continued to deteriorate, implying that a shift in wind direction could result in much worse pollution. If winds begin to blow from the northwest, they may push more smoke from stubble-burning areas into Delhi, increasing already high pollution levels.

The combination of stubble burning and fluctuating wind patterns indicates a challenging period ahead for Delhi. Air quality is believed to stay poor, if not very severe, for many days. This continuing issue emphasises the requirement for more effective methods to manage stubble burning and minimize its impact on urban air quality.

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