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The Center for Science and Environment (CSE) has disclosed in its recent study that the pollution levels during the winter months of 2023, specifically January, November, and December, were 12 to 34 percent higher compared to the same period in 2022. Consequently, the winter season of 2023 experienced significantly increased pollution.
Winter months in Delhi-NCR
The annual average PM2.5 levels for 2023 stood at 100.9 µg/m3, marking a 2% increase from 2022 and a 6% rise from the exceptionally clean 2020 levels. Although higher than the previous winter, it was not as severe as pre-2020 levels. The analysis also revealed a 3-year average trend among the five oldest air quality monitoring stations, indicating a 3% increase compared to the 2020-22 average.
On the other hand, the summer months from March to June 2023 were considerably cleaner, with pollution levels dropping by 14 to 36 percent compared to the corresponding months in 2022. The air quality during February, July, September, and October remained relatively unchanged. Furthermore, the air quality was better than usual during the monsoon season.
The Center for Science and Environment (CSE) has indicated that the decreasing trend of PM 2.5 fine particle pollution in Delhi-NCR, which began in 2015-17, came to a halt in the winter of 2023. The report largely attributes this to weather-related factors.
The summer and monsoon seasons of 2023 in the region were significantly cleaner than usual. As for the winter, the pollution from stubble burning in the northern states was less this year compared to previous years. However, the wind speeds near the surface were exceptionally low during the winter. Notably, in November 2023, the wind speed in Delhi dropped to 9.8 meters per second, marking the lowest in the past six years.
The sluggish wind speed resulted in the trapping of local pollution, which was already at a high level, leading to an increase in pollution levels in the region during the winter.
Weather influenced Delhi's rising pollution
Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director of CSE, says, "The unusual conditions in winter kept the average pollution level for the entire year high, worsening the situation compared to before. This increased the pollution level. The long-term decline stopped."
"She stated that the contribution of stubble burning to Delhi's pollution had decreased this year. Consequently, she expected the annual levels to improve because of the greater rainfall and less cold in November. Regrettably, she noted that local pollution was already too high, and poor weather conditions, including low wind speeds, had exacerbated the situation."
She strongly suggested that, under these circumstances, Delhi should take concrete measures to reduce emissions and meet national air quality standards.
As per the latest report by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE), there has been a consistent reduction in the PM 2.5 levels in Delhi from 2015-17. However, this encouraging trend of decrease came to a standstill in 2023. Examining the data up to December 29, 2023, the yearly average PM 2.5 level in Delhi for 2023 was noted to be 100.9 micrograms per cubic meter, which is approximately two percent higher than that of 2022.
Breathing emergency to last for 24 days in 2023
The report states that winter pollution affected the yearly average in 2023. The air quality met national standards for about 151 days, similar to 2021. In contrast, during the 2020 lockdown, this number was 174 days, while in 2022, it was only 117 days. Most of these days were in the summer and monsoon seasons.
In 2023, there were fewer days with ‘good’ air quality, with levels at or below 50 on just 24 days, compared to 41 days in 2022. The number of days with ‘very poor’ or ‘severe’ air quality in 2023 was 107, including 24 days when the PM2.5 level in Delhi-NCR reached an emergency situation.
Looking at 2022 data, there were 106 days with ‘very bad’ or ‘severe’ air quality, and the pollution level reached an emergency level on just nine days. This number is less than half compared to 2023.
The analysis also delved into the occurrence of smog episodes, attributing them to low wind speeds, farm stubble fires, and unfavorable weather conditions. The report called for sustained efforts in waste management, transitioning to clean fuels, and increasing the use of electric vehicles to combat these challenges.
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