New Delhi: As the stubble burning counts reached highest of the season, the air quality of Delhi-NCR region deteriorates to 'severe' category with Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching to 456.
It is expected to remain the same for the next two days.
According to the SAFAR bulletin of Ministry of Earth Science, the overall Delhi's air quality has deteriorated to the 'severe' category on Saturday morning.
"Despite moderate day time dispersion condition, air quality has declined, owing to sustained unusually high fire emissions. Surface winds have become calm today morning and pollutants are accumulating near the surface," it said.
SAFAR synergised stubble fire counts over Punjab, Haryana, UP, Uttarakhand and neighbouring areas increased and stood at 4528 on Friday, which is the highest of this season.
"The boundary layer wind direction is northwesterly and favourable for the fire-related intrusion to Delhi NCR region. Stubble burning share in PM2.5 in Delhi's air is estimated at 32 per cent for today," the bulletin further added.
An AQI between 0 to 50 comes under "good" category, 51 to 100 under "satisfactory", 101 to 200 as "moderate", 201 and 300 as "poor", 301 to 400 as "very poor" and 401 to 500 under "severe" category.
According to the prediction, air quality of Delhi-NCR likely to remain same for the next two days due to the impact of stubble burning in the dispersion of pollutants.
"Surface winds are forecasted to decrease on the 8th and 9th November. No quick recovery is expected unless a drastic reduction in fire counts takes place. Air quality is forecasted to stay at 'severe' to the higher end of 'very poor' category for next 2 days," SAFAR stated.
It further added, "In summary, fire-related emission is impacting air quality for the entire Indo Gangetic Plains, making the approaching winter conditions hard for efficient Dispersion of pollutants."
On Friday, the Delhi Government had implemented a blanket ban on firecrackers for the period of November 7 to 30, in the view of a spike in coronavirus cases amid rising air pollution levels.
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