Delhi is currently experiencing one of its worst pollution spells, with the air quality index (AQI) in the “severe” category for the fifth consecutive day and the seventh time in eight days. On Wednesday, the AQI stood at 419, showing some improvement from the previous day’s 460. However, this streak is the longest since December 2021, when Delhi faced six consecutive days of severe air quality.
While there was a slight improvement in air quality on Wednesday, the situation remains alarming, with PM2.5 being the lead pollutant. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded a reading of 461 at Wazipur, marking the highest AQI in the city. Despite the fog and surface winds failing to bring respite, Delhi witnessed some sunshine after 10 a.m., leading to a gradual reduction in pollution levels.
According to forecasts, the AQI is expected to remain in the severe category on Thursday but may improve to “very poor” by Friday as meteorological conditions begin to improve. The reduced intensity of fog and the presence of northwesterly winds have helped in clearing the pollution. Experts predict that similar shallow fog will continue through the rest of the week, allowing for more sunshine and a further decrease in AQI.
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However, stubble burning from nearby states remains a significant contributor to Delhi’s air pollution. On November 18 and 19, farm fires contributed 19.82% and 22.10%, respectively, to Delhi’s PM2.5 levels, as per data from the Decision Support System (DSS). This ongoing issue, along with fireworks during weddings, continues to worsen the city’s air quality.
Despite the severe pollution, Delhi saw no major disruptions due to fog at its airport. However, over 300 flights were delayed, and 13 trains were reported late due to the fog. The minimum temperature in the city dropped to 11.2°C on Wednesday, marking the coldest night of the season so far.