'Very poor' AQI streak 20 days and counting

Delhi's air quality remained in the 'very poor' category on Tuesday, extending a toxic streak to 20 consecutive days and putting the Capital on course to record its second-longest pollution siege if similar air pollution persists till the weekend, as has been predicted.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

With 353 at 4pm on Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has now been at 300 or above since November 6, the fifth-longest such streak recorded since the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) launched the index in April 2015. Forecasts show meteorological conditions are unlikely to improve before November 28, which would push the streak to 23 days - tying for the second-worst on record.

The longest streak came last year, when Delhi logged 32 consecutive days of 'very poor' or worse air between October 30 and November 30, including a peak of 494 (severe) on November 18.

The current stretch has included three severe air days between November 11-13, data shows. The streak began in early November as the winter pollution season took hold, but unlike previous years, farm fires have contributed far less to the crisis.

The Decision Support System recorded a peak farm fire contribution of 22.4% on November 12, significantly lower than historical patterns. Last year, stubble burning accounted for 35.1% of Delhi's pollution on November 1. The contribution peaked at 35% on November 3 in both 2023 and 2022, while reaching 48% on November 6 in 2021.

By Tuesday, farm fire contribution had dropped to just 1.54%.