The national capital’s air quality, currently languishing in the ‘poor’ category, is poised for a further decline to ‘very poor’ between Monday and Wednesday, according to the Union government’s System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). This worsening air quality is attributed to the escalating incidents of stubble burning in neighboring states.
Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) stood at 277 on Sunday, only slightly better than the previous day’s reading of 278, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The air quality standards are categorized into six levels: good (0-50), satisfactory (51-100), moderate (101-200), poor (201-300), very poor (301-400), and severe (401-500).
SAFAR cites unfavorable meteorological conditions, specifically calm winds prevailing during the night, as the primary reason for the worsening air quality. The agency also warns that additional emissions from sources such as stubble burning and waste burning are likely to exacerbate the situation.
Stubble Burning: A Persistent Problem
Data from CREAMS-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, which monitors satellite data on stubble burning, reveals that between September 15th and October 19th, a staggering 3,376 fire and stubble burning incidents were reported across Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. This represents a slight increase compared to the 3,134 incidents recorded during the same period last year.
Stubble burning, a practice where leftover straw and stubble are burned after harvesting crops to prepare the fields for the winter sowing season, remains a significant contributor to air pollution in Delhi and neighboring states.
A Multifaceted Issue
While stubble burning is often cited as a major contributor to Delhi’s air pollution, it’s important to acknowledge that the issue is multifaceted. Data from Pune’s Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) revealed that stubble burning contributed just over 1.3% to Delhi’s air quality on October 19th. The burning of crop residue is projected to contribute 2.3% and 2.4% to Delhi’s poor air quality on Sunday and Monday, respectively.
While these percentages might seem modest, they highlight a worrying upward trend, especially considering that stubble burning’s contribution peaked at 1.2% on October 15th and had remained below 1% earlier in the month.
Unidentified Sources: A Major Concern
Vehicular emissions within Delhi continue to be a significant contributor to air pollution, accounting for around 14.2% on October 18th, which dropped to 11.2% on Saturday. Projections suggest a further slight decrease to 10.5% in the coming days.
However, a significant portion of Delhi’s pollution remains unidentified, ranging between 32% and 44%, according to IITM. This underscores the complexity of effectively addressing Delhi’s air quality challenges. Identifying and addressing these unidentified sources is crucial to effectively tackle the issue.
Preventive Measures and Emergency Responses
In an effort to combat air pollution, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee has implemented a complete ban on the manufacturing, storage, sale, and use of all types of firecrackers in the national capital until January 1st. Similarly, authorities in Punjab have imposed a ban on the bursting of crackers, while in Haryana’s Gurugram, only green crackers will be allowed for Diwali celebrations.
The Commission for Air Quality Management has activated Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a series of measures to combat air pollution in the National Capital Region. The government is also exploring cloud seeding as an emergency measure to reduce pollution.
As the city faces the impending threat of worsening air quality, the focus remains on finding sustainable solutions to address the complex issue of air pollution and protect public health.