This Time Around Delhi’s Air Quality During Diwali Won’t Be As Bad As Last Year

Delhi’s air quality during Diwali this time around won’t be as bad as the last year. Each year, among the big concerns for the country’s national capital, is that of the air quality of one of India’s big cities. Some feel it is messy, some call it extravagantly polluted.

But whatever it is, the main concern regarding Delhi won’t change, in the times to come, one thinks until and unless something drastic is done to take corrective measures to curb rising air pollution.

Each time, year after year, as the Delhi-ites prepare to embrace seasonal change, with the coming of autumn during the transition to the winter period, the main worry rests with the changing air quality.

What’s a little heartbreaking, if it must be said, is that despite the government announcing several plans and schemes to battle the rising menace of pollution, nothing significant is done to opt for change.

Moreover, the yearly burning of the crop residue further adds to uncertain weather pollution. This year too, the situation has already added to Delhi’s growing woes when it comes to air quality.

Over the period of the last fortnight, Delhi’s air quality plunged to the poor and very poor levels with there being increasing concerns as to what might happen when the festival of bright lights- Diwali- arrives?

While the centre announced a ban on crackers the last time around, this year too, one has come to see an increasing focus on green crackers.

That said, there’s finally a ray of hope for those concerned about the Delhi’s (worsening) air quality during Diwali. Several pieces of latest news suggest that the city’s air quality won’t be as bad as the last year.

Here’s what NDTV had to say on the following matter in its latest report:

The air quality index (AQI) today was recorded at 244 against Tuesday’s 206, according to the data available with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”.

The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research Institute (SAFAR) said that the high wind speed will positively influence Delhi’s air quality.

“A slight decrease in the stubble burning activity in Haryana and Punjab has been noticed over the last 24 hours,” it added.

“The surface, as well as boundary layer winds, are forecast to change direction to easterly by tomorrow afternoon. This will decrease the biomass pollutant share in the Delhi region which is relatively very low so far,” the SAFAR said.

It said that no drastic deterioration in air quality is expected for the next two days.

And that said, if you were wondering about the condition of the weather in the days to come around Diwali, then it’s worthwhile to note the following:

“The repeated western disturbances are expected in the last week of October, which is likely to positively influence Delhi’s air quality.
“According to the current analysis, the situation on Diwali may not be as bad as last year. SAFAR will update its analysis in the coming days.