Delhi grapples with poor air quality at 231 AQI as farm fires and lower temperatures persist

Delhi's air quality deteriorated further as the minimum temperature settled at 20.9 degrees Celsius. At 9 am on Saturday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 231, categorizing it as 'poor'. The AQI scale rates air quality from 'good' (0-50) to 'satisfactory' (51-100), 'moderate' (101-200), 'poor' (201-300), 'very poor' (301-400), and 'severe' (401-500).

Amid worsening air quality, the Centre's air quality panel activated the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). This plan includes banning coal usage in hotels and restaurants and cracking down on polluting industries in the National Capital Region. GRAP has different stages, with Stage I being activated for 'poor' air quality (AQI 201-300).

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent further air quality deterioration in the region.

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Farm fires in Punjab contribute 

The recent decline in air quality in Delhi is partly attributed to a surge in farm fires in Punjab. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in several parts of Punjab also deteriorated to 'moderate' levels. Bathinda recorded the worst AQI at 191. On October 6, Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) detected 91 new farm fire cases, bringing the total for the season to 845.

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Amritsar district alone reported 345 active fires in the last six days, with 41 fires recorded on October 6. Other affected districts include Tarn Taran (15 fires), Patiala (10 fires), and Sangrur (6 fires).

Air quality remains a concern, and pollution control measures are being implemented to address the issue, with a particular focus on tackling farm fires and their impact on air quality.