Delhi’s Air Quality Slips to ‘Poor’ Amid Unpredictable Wind Patterns

Delhi’s air quality witnessed a decline to the ‘poor’ category, attributed to unfavourable meteorological conditions compounded by stubble burning and forest fires in neighbouring regions, according to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

As of 4 pm on Tuesday, the city’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to 243, prompting the CAQM, tasked with curbing air pollution in Delhi-NCR, to convene an urgent meeting. The session, attended by experts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, aimed to address the concerning deterioration in air quality. Officials underscored the significant role of agricultural residue burning in the deteriorating air quality, particularly in and around the National Capital Region (NCR). Additionally, forest fires in nearby states were identified as contributing factors exacerbating the pollution levels.

The situation highlights the pressing need for coordinated efforts to mitigate air pollution, including stringent measures to tackle stubble burning and forest fires, alongside initiatives to enhance air quality monitoring and management in the region.