Delhi's air pollution crisis showed no signs of abating on Friday, with the city's air quality index hovering at the higher end of the 'very poor' category. The situation is forecast to worsen significantly over the weekend, potentially entering the 'severe' zone.
Current AQI Readings and Meteorological Factors
The overall AQI for the national capital was recorded at 374 on Friday, a marginal increase from Thursday's reading of 373. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board indicated a reading of 384 at 8 am, which saw a slight dip during daytime hours due to improved wind speeds.
Mahesh Palawat, Vice-President of Skymet Meteorology, explained the weather conditions. "Winds at the speed of about 10 kmph blew during Friday afternoon as opposed to 5 to 7 kmph during the daytime," he stated. He further warned that relief is unlikely soon, adding, "We do not expect wind speed to rise for the next two days as a fresh western disturbance is approaching the western Himalayas."
Severe Pollution at Key Monitoring Stations
While the city's average AQI stayed within 'very poor' limits, the ground reality at several locations was far more alarming. 11 out of 39 active air quality monitoring stations reported pollution levels in the 'severe' category. The remaining 28 stations were all in the 'very poor' range.
Anand Vihar emerged as the most polluted location with a dangerous AQI of 426. It was closely followed by Vivek Vihar at 420 and ITO at 417. Shadipur recorded the 'best' air quality among the monitored areas, though its AQI of 308 still falls firmly in the 'very poor' bracket. This represents a slight improvement from Thursday, when 15 out of 40 stations had registered 'severe' levels.
Grim Forecast and Seasonal Trends
The air quality early warning system for Delhi, which operates under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, predicts a continued deterioration. The AQI is expected to remain 'very poor' on Saturday before worsening to the 'severe' range on Sunday and Monday.
The outlook for the following week is equally concerning. The forecast indicates that for six days starting Monday, the air quality is likely to fluctuate between 'severe' and 'very poor'. This expected decline is attributed to a combination of dense fog, low temperatures, and calm wind conditions anticipated over the weekend.
This winter season has already been particularly harsh. Delhi has witnessed six severe air quality days so far, with two notable spells: from November 11 to 13 and from December 13 to 15. The peak this season was an AQI of 461 on December 14, marking it as the second-highest pollution level ever recorded for a December day in the city.
As per the CPCB's classification, an AQI between 301-400 is 'very poor', 401-450 is 'severe', and 451 and above is 'severe plus'.
In response to the persistent crisis, the Commission for Air Quality Management's panel convened a meeting on Friday to discuss shortcomings and limitations in the existing Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate mechanism.
