With AQI at 305 (very poor) Wednesday morning, Delhi is witnessing the “cleanest” post-Diwali air since 2015, largely owing to winds, heat situations, fewer farm fires across the competition, which, not like earlier years, didn’t permit air pollution to extend this yr, in response to the experiences launched by central and state air pollution watchdogs.

Despite the fact that air pollution monitoring businesses mentioned bursting of firecrackers was reported from Delhi-NCR, fixed winds blew away the smoke, permitting dispersion.

Based on the Central Air pollution Management Board (CPCB), Delhi’s common air high quality index (AQI) on Tuesday (day after Diwali) was 303 within the lower-end of ‘very poor’ zone. It is a discount of 30% in general air pollution ranges as in comparison with that of final yr when put up Diwali (November 5), the AQI was 462 within the increased finish of the ‘extreme’ zone, a comparative evaluation of Diwali air high quality by the Delhi Air pollution Management Committee (DPCC) said.

In 2020, the post-Diwali day AQI was 435 (extreme), whereas in 2019 it was 368 (very poor), and in 2018 and 2017, the AQI was 390 (very poor) and 403 (extreme). The yr 2016 noticed the worst of all yr with the AQI reaching 445 (extreme) whereas in 2015 it was 360 (very poor).

Yearly after Diwali, Delhi sees an annual air air pollution disaster with main firecrackers bursting throughout NCR, regardless of a blanket ban being in place, performing as a set off to already ripe situations owing to farm fires and hostile meteorology.

Nonetheless, the DPCC report mentioned a number of things labored relatively in favour of Delhi this yr regardless of cracker bursting. One is that the competition got here early this yr (in October as a substitute of November) when its comparatively hotter and the everyday winter stagnating situations that entice air pollution doesn’t exist.

Second, farm fires in neighbouring states, particularly in Punjab, which is the biggest paddy-growing state, noticed a significant discount from final yr on the day of Diwali.

The report identified that Delhi breathed simpler this yr on Diwali with a 56% discount in crop stubble burning occasions in Punjab this yr in comparison with 2021.

“Higher meteorological situations with respect to wind velocity of 6-8 kmph with clear sky and reasonable situations for dispersion of pollution regardless of unfavourable wind route —- north-westerly,” it mentioned.

Comparatively increased temperatures various between 15 levels Celsius and 36 levels C this yr was a significant factor that didn’t permit pollution to stagnate. In 2021, the temperature noticed was 10 levels Celsius to 33 levels Celsius. Additionally, bursting of firecrackers was much less this yr as towards earlier yr, which may be an necessary cause, however couldn’t be quantified but, the report mentioned.

“Despite the fact that trans-boundary motion of crop stubble burning in Punjab and different states picked up over the previous three days, the overall incidents have been fewer than final yr. That is primarily as a result of delayed harvest due to unseasonal rains earlier this month and are prone to rise additional and therefore scenario must be watched carefully,” mentioned an official, who didn’t want to be named.

Based on the report, in comparison with final yr’s post-Diwali day, this time, the typical PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations — most outstanding pollution in Delhi’s air — diminished by 64% and 57%.

Whereas all monitoring stations noticed low PM 2.5 ranges, the minimal discount was noticed at Patparganj (21%) and most at Mandir Marg (80%). When it comes to PM 10 ranges, minimal discount was seen at Okhla (20%) and most at Wazirpur (69%), the report added.

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