Reported by Urban Acres
Delhi-NCR’s air quality is expected to deteriorate after Dussehra, with the Air Quality Early Warning System forecasting that Delhi’s Air Quality Index could enter the ‘poor’ category from Wednesday. The worsening conditions come as the capital prepares to implement its winter action plan from 1 November.
Delhi recorded air quality in the ‘moderate’ category on the day of the Dussehra celebrations, according to the report. The forecast indicates that the city’s AQI may rise to between 201 and 300, the range classified as ‘poor’ by the Central Pollution Control Board.
Under the CPCB’s classification, an AQI from zero to 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 to 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 ‘poor’, 301 to 400 ‘very poor’ and 401 to 500 ‘severe’. The categories are used to communicate the severity of pollution and its potential effect on public health.
The deterioration follows Dussehra celebrations across Delhi-NCR, including the burning of effigies at multiple locations. The report attributes an immediate impact on air quality to the celebrations, while the early warning system’s forecast points to a further decline from Wednesday.
