Welcome delay: First 'poor' AQI day mid-Oct

• The city’s air quality index (AQI), which was in the ‘moderate’ category until a day before, touched 224 on Sunday, showed data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Highlights:

• Delhi’s air quality deteriorated to the ‘poor’ category on Sunday, October 13, 2024, following Dussehra celebrations. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) rose to 224, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), marking a significant shift from the ‘moderate’ category recorded the day before.
• This deterioration, however, is the most delayed onset of poor air quality in October, excluding the pandemic year, since 2015.

Comparison with Previous Years:

• In recent years, poor air quality in Delhi has typically set in earlier in October:
  • 2023: Poor AQI (212) was recorded on October 6.
  • 2022: Poor AQI (211) was recorded on October 5.
  • 2021: Pandemic year saw the first poor AQI day (284) on October 16.

Forecasts Indicate Short-Term Improvement:

• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune have forecast that the AQI is expected to return to the ‘moderate’ category by Wednesday. The IMD predicts partly cloudy skies on Monday, followed by clear skies.

GRAP Measures May Be Invoked:

• In response to the worsening air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is monitoring the situation closely and may invoke Stage I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
• The plan includes a set of measures to reduce air pollution in Delhi and nearby regions. The commission noted a rise in AQI due to "episodic events" but observed a decline in pollutant concentrations by Sunday afternoon.

Government Response and Public Initiatives:

• Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai emphasized that despite the Dussehra celebrations, the city experienced clean air during the day. He noted that by October 12, Delhi had observed 200 days of 'good', 'moderate', or 'satisfactory' air quality in 2024, indicating potential improvement in pollution levels.

Paddy Residue Burning on the Rise:

• Despite the delayed onset of winter, paddy residue burning has already contributed to worsening air quality. By October 13, Delhi had recorded six incidents of stubble burning in its northern district, the highest for the period between September 15 and October 13 since 2020.
• Satellite data showed 339 stubble-burning events across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi on Sunday, bringing the total for the period to 1,744.

Prelims Takeaways:

• Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
• Air quality index (AQI)