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Delhi Air Quality Turns Moderate Amid Rising Stubble Burning
Delhi’s air became less clean on September 30.
Its air-quality score was 129, which is called moderate.
Satellites found 19 fires where farmers were burning leftover crop material.
These fires were reported in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana that day.
From September 15 to 30, 114 such fires were found across six states.
Farmers burn leftover plants to prepare fields for new crops.
Smoke from some fires can move toward Delhi and add to its pollution.
Weather conditions may keep the air moderately polluted for several more days.
Delhi’s AQI reached 129, classified as moderate, on September 30 after five days of satisfactory air quality.
Satellites detected 19 crop-residue fires across Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Haryana on Wednesday.
A total of 114 residue-burning events were recorded across six states from September 15 to 30.
Punjab reported the most events during that period with 59, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 32 and Madhya Pradesh with 17.
Forecasts indicated moderate air quality through October 3 and possibly the following six days because of weak winds and poor pollutant dispersion.
- Who
- Delhi residents, farmers in six states, the ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, and air-quality authorities are involved.
- What
- Delhi’s air quality declined to the moderate category as satellite data recorded crop-residue burning.
- Where
- Delhi and the states of Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan.
- When
- September 30; 114 residue-burning events were recorded between September 15 and 30.
- Why
- Farmers burn crop residue to clear fields before planting wheat and vegetables, while weak winds are limiting pollutant dispersion.
Key facts
- Delhi AQI
- 129, classified as moderate on September 30
- Wednesday fires
- 19 residue-burning events detected across the six study states
- September 15–30 total
- 114 residue-burning events
- Highest state total
- Punjab recorded 59 events
- Poor-reading station
- The IIT Delhi station recorded an AQI of 207 at 6 pm
- Forecast
- Air quality was expected to remain moderate from October 1 to 3 and during the subsequent six days
- Weather conditions
- Average wind speed was expected to remain below 10 kmph, unfavorable for pollutant dispersion
Sources
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