The atmosphere of Delhi-NCR has remained poisonous for the last several days. Although the rain had definitely reduced the pollution, it has started increasing once again. In fact, an increase in the cases of stubble burning has been recorded again in Punjab. On Monday, 1624 cases of stubble burning were reported in the state, whereas on the previous day i.e. on November 12, 987 cases of stubble burning were reported. 637 cases increased in one day.
Most of the stubble was burnt in Bathinda district. Cases of stubble burning have been registered at 272 places here. Sangrur district remained at second place. Stubble has been burnt at 216 places here. So far 26341 cases of stubble burning have been reported in Punjab. Bathinda city has been the most polluted city of the state. AQI 380 was recorded here.
Delhi’s air quality reached ‘poor’ category on Monday after bursting of firecrackers late at night, while a political tussle has started on this issue with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and BJP blaming each other for it. After the relief due to rain, a jump in pollution levels was recorded in the capital. There was fog early in the morning.
AQI 358 recorded in Delhi
The best air quality was recorded in Delhi on Diwali in eight years on Sunday. The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) reached 218 at 4 pm, but the relief was short-lived as the AQI was recorded at 358 on Monday. According to CPCB data, AQI was recorded at 312 in Delhi on Diwali last year, 382 in 2021, 414 in 2020, 337 in 2019, 281 in 2018, 319 in 2017 and 431 in 2016. According to IQAir, a Swiss company specializing in air quality monitoring, Delhi was the world’s most polluted city on Monday, followed by Lahore and Karachi in Pakistan. Mumbai and Kolkata are at fifth and sixth place among the most polluted cities of the world.
