(Commonwealth_India) Residents of Delhi woke up on Thursday morning to light rain, offering a brief respite from the city’s worsening air quality. Despite the rain, the air quality remained concerning. The Air Quality Index (AQI) for the city stood at 262 at both 6 am and 8 am, indicating a “poor” air quality status, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). This is the third consecutive day that Delhi’s AQI has fallen into the ‘poor’ category, reflecting the ongoing pollution crisis. On Wednesday, similar AQI readings of 264 at 6 am and 262 at 8 am were recorded, further underscoring the persistence of the air quality issues.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had forecasted light rain for Thursday, with temperatures ranging from 12°C to 22°C. While this rain is expected to provide some temporary relief from the pollution, experts warn that the effectiveness of this relief will depend on the duration and intensity of the rain. While the light showers may help settle the dust particles and provide a short-term improvement, they may not be enough to reduce pollution levels significantly. The forecast indicates that Delhi’s air quality will likely remain in the ‘poor’ category for the next few days, with predictions of such conditions extending until January 25. Beyond that, we expect air quality to fluctuate between ‘Poor’ and ‘Very Poor’ for at least six more days, exacerbating the problem.
Despite the brief relief from rain, experts are concerned that the current weather conditions may not be enough to significantly alter the pollution levels. For a more substantial impact on air quality, experts suggest that heavy rain would be necessary. Heavy rain could help wash away the airborne pollutants more effectively than lighter showers, which might only result in a temporary reduction in dust particles without addressing the broader pollution levels.
In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) took action by lifting Stage-III measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on January 17. This decision came after a slight improvement in air quality due to more favorable meteorological conditions, such as stronger wind speeds. However, the CAQM has kept Stage I and Stage II measures in effect. By limiting pollution sources and encouraging emission control measures, these measures aim to prevent further deterioration in air quality.
The ongoing air quality crisis has drawn attention to the need for more stringent regulations. In light of this, the Supreme Court of India issued a directive to ban the sale of firecrackers in Delhi, as well as in the surrounding districts of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana within the National Capital Region (NCR). This ruling, issued by a bench comprising Justices Abhay Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, was a response to the worsening air quality, which is further exacerbated during the wedding season, a time when the use of fireworks traditionally increases. The decision is part of an ongoing legal case concerning air pollution in Delhi and the NCR, specifically the MC Mehta case. Fireworks contribute significantly to air pollution, especially during festivals and celebrations, and the Supreme Court’s ruling is a step toward addressing the problem by curbing one of the major sources of pollution.
The situation in Delhi highlights the urgent need for long-term solutions to address the city’s air quality crisis. While temporary measures like rain and a reduction in firecracker sales may help alleviate pollution levels momentarily, experts stress that more comprehensive and sustainable strategies are needed to combat the persistent pollution that affects the health and well-being of residents. The combination of limited rainfall, ongoing traffic emissions, industrial pollution, and seasonal burning of crop residue all contribute to the city’s air quality issues, which remain a significant challenge for policymakers and citizens alike.
