Delhi’s air quality plummeted to the ‘poor’ category on Wednesday, attributed to adverse meteorological conditions and forest fires in neighboring states, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The city’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to 243 by 4 pm, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to convene a review meeting with experts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.
Experts highlighted rapidly changing wind directions, high convection rates, dry conditions, and elevated temperatures as factors contributing to prolonged dust suspension in the region. Additionally, agricultural residue burning and forest fires in nearby areas were cited as exacerbating factors.
In response, the CAQM directed air pollution control bodies and relevant agencies to conduct intensive drives at major pollution hotspots, focusing on dust abatement measures. It also mandated the augmentation of water sprinklers and mechanical road sweeping equipment in the region.
Further instructions included closely monitoring fire incidents and open burning of municipal waste, as well as enforcing dust control measures at construction sites. The CPCB’s Flying Squads will intensify inspections to ensure compliance with regulatory directives.
The AQI scale classifies an AQI between 0-50 as “good”, 51-100 as “satisfactory”, 101-200 as “moderate”, 201-300 as “poor”, 301-400 as “very poor”, and above 500 as “severe plus”.
