Delhi air quality to deteriorate and enter 'emergency' category after unanticipated rise in farm fires

Authorities on Saturday asserted on improvement in Delhi's air quality to 'very poor' category after local pollutants reduced significantly and the contribution from stubble burning remained “marginal” due to wind speed.

This however wouldn't last as scientists at pollution forecasting agencies said the air is likely to worsen over the next two days since the wind is bringing in particulates from the northwest, where farm fires have been raging.

The concentration of PM 2.5 – the more harmful of the particulates – would remain in the severe or severe plus or emergency category till November 11.

An official at Punjab’s pollution control board said that since Wednesday, at least 10,000 instances of farm fires were recorded — nearly a fourth of the roughly 40,700 instances seen this year. According to sources, the total count might cross last year's number.

Last year as the air quality was dampened, the schools were forced to close down and children and elderly were asked not to go out.

On Saturday, authorities extended a ban on construction work and entry of heavy vehicles into Delhi in order to help control local emissions. Industries running on coal have also been asked to cease operations.

The largely seen reason behind hazardous air quality of Delhi at the start of winters in recent years is farm fires. Even the Union and State Government in Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana have announced strict penalties on farmers who burn crop residue. But the move by the government has not been taken in a good light by the farmers. They are violating the orders; the farmer unions are not even allowing the authorities to take strict action against the violators.