Here is the Delhi AQI for today, in the midst of nearby state agricultural fires

 Here is the Delhi AQI for today, in the midst of nearby state agricultural fires

For the previous several weeks, Delhi's air quality index (AQI) has remained in the "moderate" to "poor" range. According to the India Meteorological Department, a coming western disturbance that may bring light rain or thundershowers on Monday and Tuesday is also predicted to cause an increase in temperature.

According to IMD, Delhi's maximum and lowest temperatures for October 16 are predicted to be around 32 degrees Celsius and 20 degrees Celsius, respectively. According to statistics from the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi's 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI) was 228 as of 7 pm on October 15.

The Central Pollution Control Board reported poor air quality at Anand Vihar station with an AQI of 281. With an AQI of 131, the CRRI Mathura Road station observed fair air quality. Dwarka-Sector 8 station's AQI of 217 placed it in the bad category for air quality. ITO station measured an AQI of 148, which is considered moderate. An AQI of 148 was found at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium station, which is considered moderate. With an AQI of 167, Mandir Marg station reported average air quality.

The R K Puram station scored an AQI of 208, placing it in the bad category. The Rohini station scored an AQI of 214, placing it in the bad category. With an AQI of 219, the North Campus, DU station observed poor air quality. With an AQI of 198, Okhla Phase-2 reported a moderate air quality rating.

Readings between 0 and 50 are categorized as "good," 51 to 100 as "satisfactory," 101 to 200 as "moderate," 201-300 as "poor," 301 to 400 as "very poor," and 401 to 500 as "severe." "Severe plus" readings are those that are above 500.

Experts contend that this year's early harvest and earlier stubble burning dates are related to the southwest monsoon's early retreat.

According to statistics from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), there were more field fires in the states of Punjab along with Haryana this year from September to October compared to the same period in 2022. These numbers span the time frame of September 15 to October 15.

According to Dipankar Saha, a former director of the Central Pollution Control Board's air lab, "If harvesting is done early and the stubbles are burned early, the impact on air quality will be less harsh because favorable meteorological conditions, as good gusts of wind and high temperatures, help disperse pollutants," according to HT.