Dense haze enveloped Delhi on Saturday as early warning systems indicated that hazardous atmospheric conditions will linger through Tuesday. Experts caution that forecasted light drizzle will not settle the smog and could worsen conditions by forming secondary aerosols due to high moisture levels. In addition, research institutes confirmed that regional biomass burning, including stubble and wood combustion, was the main pollution driver Saturday morning at 25.5 percent.
Key points
Light precipitation will not provide atmospheric relief and could exacerbate secondary ae…: Light precipitation will not provide atmospheric relief and could exacerbate secondary aerosol pollution due to elevated humidity.
The Air Quality Early Warning System projects that regional air quality will linger in th…: The Air Quality Early Warning System projects that regional air quality will linger in the very poor category through Tuesday.
Vehicle emissions and secondary organic aerosols remain secondary major sources, while fi…: Vehicle emissions and secondary organic aerosols remain secondary major sources, while firecracker pollution declined to 1.4 percent.
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NEW DELHI: Delhi’s air quality stayed in the very poor range Saturday with the AQI recorded at 367, and a greyish haze enveloped the city. At least 17 stations were in the severe category.
Though
India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that there is a possibility of very light rain at isolated places Sunday, experts said respite from toxic air quality is unlikely.
Gufran Beig, founder of System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) and chair professor at National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), said, “During winter, very light rainfall or drizzle is not sufficient to clear pollutants from the atmosphere and it may worsen the air quality.
"High moisture levels can instead facilitate chemical reactions between gaseous pollutants and suspended particles, resulting in the formation of secondary aerosols,” he said further.
He added that rain washes out pollutants in the winter season only when there is intense and sustained rainfall.
NCR's best and worst
The air quality is forecast to remain in the very poor range till Tuesday, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System.
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