Another hazy day in Delhi due to the presence of firecrackers in the capital

SAFAR predicted a drop in AQI due to calmer winds and lower temperatures, which allow accumulation of pollutants in the air.

• On the occasion of Diwali, Delhi witnessed another hazy day with highly polluted air as crackers were bursting despite the ban

Delhi's air quality hovered near the 'very poor' category on Diwali and the overall air quality index touched 298 on Monday. Unfavorable metrological conditions are allowing accumulation of pollutants along with emissions from stubble burning, further complicating the situation. The city recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 259 on Sunday evening, the lowest in the past seven years before the day of Diwali.

Despite restrictions and strict rules, crackers were burst in many parts of the city. Field fire incidents have also reached this season's highest ever with 1,318 incidents.

The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, SAFAR predicted a fall in the AQI due to calm winds and low temperatures, which allow accumulation of pollutants in the air. The forecasting agency also claimed that the AQI will remain in the 'very poor' category even if no crackers are burst and if the firecrackers are burst like last year, the AQI will further fall in the 'severe' category.

The agency advised vulnerable groups, including the elderly and children, to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion, take more breaks and engage in less intense activities.

The advisory states, "Asthma patients, keep the medicine ready in case of symptoms of cough or shortness of breath. See a doctor in case of heart disease, palpitations, shortness of breath or unusual tiredness."

Of the 35 monitoring stations in the city, 19 reported "very poor" air quality, while one (Anand Vihar) reported "severe" pollution levels. Ghaziabad (300), Noida (299), Greater Noida (282), Gurugram (249), and Faridabad (248) all reported poor air quality.

The contribution of stubble burning to Delhi's PM 2.5 has been only 5% so far, but it is expected to increase to 8% on Monday. SAFAR's founding project director Gufran Baig told news agency PTI that the transport-level wind direction and speed would be "very conducive" to transport fumes from stubble burning.

"This will increase the share of stubble burning in Delhi's PM 2.5 pollution to 15-18 per cent by October 25 and push the air quality into the 'severe' category," he said. The Indian Agricultural Research Institute reported 902 farm fires in Punjab, 217 in Haryana and 109 in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday evening.

An AQI between zero 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.