After a spell of toxic smog last week, Delhiites started the new week with severe pollution levels continuing on Monday, though levels of particulate matter were slightly less.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the air quality index (AQI) as of 4 p.m. on Monday was 460, which was in the ‘severe’ category. The levels of both PM10, the coarser particles of 10 microns or less in diameter, and PM2.5, the fine particles of 2.5 microns or less in diameter, remained severe, as per the SAFAR index of the Union Earth Sciences Ministry.
‘Large-scale recovery’
The 24-hour rolling average of PM10 was recorded at 531 micrograms per cubic metre as of 9 p.m.
While this was over five times the standard of 100 micrograms per cubic metre, it was less than the 800-plus levels recorded on November 8 and 9. The level of PM2.5 was also down in comparison to last week, with the 24-hour average at 9 p.m. being 337 micrograms per cubic metre, which was over five times the standard of 60.
While SAFAR forecast further reduction on Tuesday, the agency also said that the “large-scale recovery” of Delhi’s air quality from external sources had been delayed by two days. Instead of November 12, the city’s pollution level was expected to reduce from severe to very poor on Tuesday afternoon.
Winds pick up
The winds bringing in smoke from stubble burning in adjoining States last week had stopped, while at the same time surface winds had picked up, helping to disperse the pollution.