AQI on Friday improved to poor from very poor due to strong surface winds in Delhi. The lowering of AQI, indicative of a lower level of pollutants, is likely to be short-lived. In the coming six days, AQI is expected to oscillate between very poor and severe. On Friday, AQI was 285 at 12 pm, which by 4 pm fell to 274 and by 5 pm it was 267. The average AQI on Friday was 270, against 306 a day earlier.
Anand Vihar, however, recorded a severe-range AQI of 401 at 4 pm. By 5pm, it had lowered from severe to 399 in the very poor range. Apart from Anand Vihar, five other stations recorded high pollution levels in the very poor category.
According to the air quality early warning system, AQI is likely to deteriorate to very poor again as the wind is likely to stop. On Wednesday and Thursday, despite an increase in the contribution of stubble burning in Delhi’s PM2.5 concentration, strong surface winds locally helped disperse the pollutants.
According to IITM’s Decision Support System, the contribution of stubble burning to Delhi’s air was 14.5% on Thursday and 15.98% on Wednesday. Analysts said the wind speed started picking up from Wednesday evening, reaching up to 15 kmph and remained strong enough to support ventilation on Thursday.
On Friday, with over 15% contribution to PM2.5 levels, transport remained the highest polluter, followed by Sonipat at 5.6%, Jhajjar at 5.1%, and Delhi residential sector at over 4%.
