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This is the fifth consecutive “severe” air day in the capital. Experts said low wind speeds, low temperatures and a low boundary layer would continue for at least another 48 hours before any improvement could be expected from November 12. The proportion of stubble burning in Delhi’s PM2.5 concentration was 38% and 3,257 fire counts were reported on Sunday.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that Delhi-NCR pollution levels hovering 6-7 times the standard. On Monday, average PM10 levels were in the “emergency” range of the Graduated Response Action Plan (GRAP) for 27 hours with a reading of 619 micrograms per cubic meter (µg / m3) at 7 pm. At the same time, the PM2.5 concentration was 399 µg / m3.
If PM10 and PM2.5 readings are above 500 and 300 µg / m3 for more than 48 hours, “emergency” measures can be implemented, including halting construction activities, entry of trucks into Delhi and introduce the odd-pair scheme.
Kuldeep Srivastava, an IMD scientist and head of the Regional Weather Forecast Center, said the wind speed was below 5 km / h during the day, while the minimum temperature was several degrees below normal.
“A combination of low temperature and low wind speed does not allow pollutants to disperse. We expect Delhi-NCR to be in a transition phase for the next two days and the wind direction to change to east by Tuesday. While this will reduce the proportion of stubble burning in PM2.5, it will still lead to the accumulation of pollutants in the region, ”added Srivastava.
Other parts of the NCR fared no better, with Gurgaon and Ghaziabad recording an AQI of 482, while Greater Noida had a reading of 478, followed by Noida (477) and Faridabad (456).
The Weather and Air Quality Research and Forecast System indicated that low dispersion continued in the region, while high fire-related intrusion was further affecting Delhi-NCR. “A quick recovery is not expected unless there is a drastic reduction in the fire count. Air quality is forecast to be in the severe category on Tuesday. It is likely to improve to the upper end of the very poor category by November 11 as the change in wind direction at the transport level should help reduce mass loading and reduce particulate matter, ”he added.
While the newly formed commission for air quality at NCR held its first meeting on Monday, it did not issue instructions for the region. Officials said CPCB would continue to monitor the situation.
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