The contribution of stubble burning to PM 2.5 levels in Delhi is forecast to be the largest, potentially pushing the air quality into the 'very poor' category from Thursday.
According to a bulletin from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Thursday morning was hazy, and the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 278 (in the 'poor' category). However, it is forecast that the air quality could reach the 'very poor' category between November 6 and 8. The forecast for the next six days also indicates that the city's air quality will remain in the 'very poor' category.
The contribution of stubble burning to Delhi's PM 2.5 pollution is estimated to rise significantly:
- Thursday: 21.5 per cent
- Friday: 36.9 per cent
- Saturday: 32.4 per cent
This is a sharp increase from Wednesday, when the contribution was only 1.2 per cent. On Wednesday, 94 incidents of stubble burning were reported in Punjab, 13 in Haryana, and 74 in Uttar Pradesh.
After stubble burning, transport is expected to be the second-largest contributor to pollution, accounting for 16.2 per cent on Thursday, 11.2 per cent on Friday, and 12.3 per cent on Saturday.
On the weather front, wind speed is expected to increase gradually, reaching up to 15 km per h from the north-west in the afternoon, before dropping to below 10 km per h during the evening and Thursday night. The sky will remain largely clear with haze or fog.
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Delhi's air had remained in the 'poor' category for the past two days, with the AQI below 300 on November 4 and 5. Prior to this, the city was in the 'very poor' category with an AQI above 300.