New Delhi: Anticipating sudden jump in pollution levels due to firecrackers and additional emissions from vehicles in festive season, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) is expected to go in ‘severe’ category on Diwali.
“Presently Delhi’s Air Quality is very poor and is expected to go worse to severe tomorrow. It can be worse if there are additional emissions. AQI will improve after Diwali and there are chances of drizzle and rain on November 15,” Dr VK Soni, Head, Environment and Research Centre of IMD told media.
With winters yet to arrive, the city’s air quality has been very poor and is bound to aggravate in next few days, much like previous years. Festive season in the weekend has already raised alarm bells for the authorities.
“During this period the meteorological conditions are not favourable for good dispersion of air pollutants and further there will be little additional emission from firecrackers and traffic. Although the government has taken a lot of steps to control air pollution, still these external emissions will impact negatively,” he said.
In a bid to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic from worsening owing to poor air quality, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) imposed a total ban on the sale and use of firecrackers in the National Capital Region from midnight of November 9 to midnight of November 30.
