Delhi air reading hits severe 428, while city average is 307

A reading of 428 put Delhi’s air in the severe range on Monday, as a brief spell of cleaner skies gave way to thick haze. The Central Pollution Control Board’s city average was 307 at 7:05 am, in the very poor category. Jahangirpuri reached 417, a severe reading. Last week’s heavy rain had briefly washed pollution from the air, giving Delhi its cleanest October day in four years. ^1,2

After the rain, pollution rose sharply: Delhi’s 24-hour average climbed from 117 on Saturday to 261 on Sunday, then the morning average reached 307 on Monday. Readings vary by place and reporting time, with local stations ranging widely and many above 300. On India’s scale, 301 to 400 is very poor and 401 to 500 is severe. The Central Pollution Control Board listed fine particles, known as PM2.5, as the main pollutant at 51 of 58 reporting stations. ^1,4

Station readings matter because a city average can hide worse air in some neighbourhoods. The government says severe air can affect healthy people and seriously harm those with lung or heart disease. Long exposure to very poor air can cause breathing problems. Pollution has returned as Diwali approaches on November 8. NASA satellite data counted 1,394 farm fires in Punjab and Haryana from October 1 to November 1. But the source cautions that the figures may miss fires, including burns shifted to later hours. ^1,2,8

Missed fires are one reason the full mix of pollution is hard to measure. Delhi has also started winter limits on vehicles, construction dust and office attendance. On November 1, enforcement teams checked 14,930 vehicles and issued 566 fines for missing pollution certificates. Traffic police separately reported turning back 714 vehicles. The government’s air forecast calls for poor air through Tuesday and possibly very poor conditions from Wednesday. That means the next few days will bring closer checks on pollution and the rules meant to curb it. ^3,7