This Diwali, the air quality of Delhi is likely to be relatively better than the last year, claims SAFAR, a union government agency’s forecast.
The forecast is based on the study of the current meteorological conditions, including low upper wind movement, a situation which prevents pollutant-laden air from stubble-burning regions from entering the city.
According to the forecast, the air quality index (AQI) will remain ‘very poor’ if bursting of firecrackers is reduced even by 50 % compared to 2016. However, it is likely to turn ‘severe’ if the same volume of crackers are set off.
However, since moisture in Delhi’s air is increasing and morning temperature is dipping, it may lead to an increase in the atmospheric holding capacity of the emissions coming from firecrackers, SAFAR said.
“There is no likelihood of repeat of 2016. Upper air winds which transport pollutants from distant sources such as the Indo-Gangetic Plains or the stubble-burning regions, are quite low and unlikely to impact Delhi significantly,” it said.
