Delhi Pollution: Delhiites forced to breathe poisonous air! AQI did not go below 300 even on a single day throughout November

New Delhi: Pollution remains at a very bad level in Delhi-NCR. The people of Delhi breathed poisonous air throughout the month of November. The month of November was the most polluted in Delhi after three years. According to CPCB data, the average AQI was recorded at 375 this November, while it was 376 in 2021. This is the first time that AQI did not go below 300 for a single day in November. Eight ‘severe’ and two ‘very severe’ days were recorded this month. The AQI reached 494 on 18 November, making it the second most polluted day.

What is the reason for increase in pollution in Delhi?

There are many reasons behind this heavy pollution. At the local level, smoke emanating from vehicles and factories is a major reason. Besides, pollution coming from neighboring states also spoils the air of Delhi. Additionally, due to no rain in November, pollutants continued to accumulate in the air. Air stagnation during cold weather also increases pollution.

AQI reached near 500

This month, Delhi remained in the severe category for eight days, out of which two days were recorded in the extremely severe category. The lowest AQI was 303, which falls in the ‘very poor’ category. On November 18, AQI reached 494, making it the second most polluted day so far. There were ten days when AQI remained above 390.

PM2.5 levels rise in winter months

Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of research and advocacy at the Center for Science and Environment, said, ‘It is a matter of concern that PM2.5 levels are now increasing in the winter months. Even though weather plays a role, it is important to assess how local and regional emissions are increasing, making pollution worse in winter. For this, very strictness is needed throughout the year, not only in Delhi, but also in the entire NCR and beyond.

Pollutants accumulated due to lack of rain

Former CPCB chief Dipankar Saha said that due to lack of rain in November, pollutants continued to accumulate in the air. he/she said, ‘There was no strong western disturbance in the plains, hence there was no rain activity in November this year. Rain helps settle pollutants. Since Delhi records adverse weather during winter months, the focus should be on emissions reduction at the ground level.’

If we look at the AQI for the month of November in the last few years, it was 321 in 2022, 328 in 2020, 312 in 2019, 335 in 2018, 361 in 2017, 374 in 2016 and 358 in 2015. The month of October this year was also the most polluted after 2020. The average AQI this October was recorded at 231, while in 2020 it was 265.