Delhi’s air quality continued to deteriorate on Saturday, marking the fifth consecutive day of “poor” air, with forecasts warning that the AQI may soon reach “severe” levels.
Experts have attributed the worsening situation to unfavourable weather conditions and the expected bursting of firecrackers during Diwali.
Air Quality Continues to Worsen
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the 24-hour average AQI on Saturday was 268, higher than the readings of 254 on Friday and 245 on Thursday.
The Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) predicted that air quality will decline further, possibly touching the “severe” category by Tuesday.
The AQEWS bulletin said,
“Air quality is expected to remain in the upper end of the poor category on Sunday and the very poor category on Monday. It may reach severe levels by Tuesday if firecracker emissions increase.”
NCR Cities Also Struggle
Neighbouring cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) recorded similar or worse conditions.
-
Ghaziabad registered an AQI of 324 (very poor) on Saturday — the worst in the country for the third consecutive day.
-
Gurugram and Greater Noida reported AQIs of 258 and 248 respectively, both in the poor category.
-
Faridabad, though still in the “moderate” range at 190, saw a sharp rise compared to 105 a day earlier.
Authorities Step Up Action
In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had already implemented Stage 1 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on October 14.
Under this plan, a 27-point action strategy is in place to control pollution in the Capital. Officials have warned that stricter restrictions may follow if the situation worsens.
Weather Conditions Add to the Crisis
Meteorological factors have also contributed to the pollution buildup.
The maximum temperature in Delhi was 33.5°C, about 0.9°C above normal, while the minimum temperature was 19.6°C, slightly below normal.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted thick smog and shallow fog across the city from Sunday to Tuesday.
An IMD official said,
“Smog or shallow fog is likely to form in many parts of Delhi during the morning hours, followed by clear skies with mist or haze later in the day.”
The IMD added that mist and haze are likely to persist throughout the week, while temperatures are expected to dip slightly — maximum around 31-33°C and minimum between 17-19°C by Thursday.
