With the festival of lights, Diwali just a couple of days away, Delhi is gasping for breath after its overall air quality remained in the ‘very category’ on Monday, making it hazardous for health.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) on Monday around Akshardham Temple deteriorated to 357.
As per SAFAR data, at 7 am on Monday, Delhi’s overall AQI was recorded at 330.
Given the air pollution in Delhi-NCR region, the Delhi government has put in place the second stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Under GRAP 2, air quality is categorised as: Stage I – ‘poor’ (AQI 201-300); Stage II – ‘very poor’ (AQI 301-400); Stage III – ‘severe’ (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV – ‘severe plus’ (AQI above 450).
Delhi air quality expected deteriorate
With Diwali approaching, AQI across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) is likely to get worse.
Layer of smog envelops Delhi
Not just ‘very poor’ air quality, people of Delhi and NCR also work up to a thick layer of smog.
Also, as pollution levels in Delhi-NCR continue to remain high, toxic foam was seen floating on the Yamuna River in Kalindi Kunj.
Delhi’s air quality turned ‘very poor’ on Sunday as the stubble burning, primarily from Punjab, continues in the neighbouring states and calm winds restricted the dispersion of pollutants. Some places in the capital city even recorded ‘severe’ pollution levels.
As per CPCB data, Delhi’s 24-hour AQI at 4 pm on Sunday was recorded at 355 as against 255 on Saturday.
Not just Delhi, the air quality was ‘very poor’ in neighbouring areas including Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad and ‘poor’ in Gurugram and Faridabad.
Ban on firecrackers in Delhi, why is air quality still poor?
The Delhi government has taken a slew of measures to curb pollution and help keep the air quality of the capital better amid Diwali and the onset of winter season.
There has been a blanket ban on firecrackers to avoid any kind of air pollution in Delhi.
Stubble burning has also been contributing heavily to air pollution in Delhi.
Stubble burning is a traditional practice of farmers, especially from Punjab and Haryana, burning the remnants of paddy stalks after harvesting. They do so as they find the method quickest considering a short window of October and November to clear their fields and sow wheat for the winter.
A study by the research and advocacy group Climate Trends of winter pollution trends in 2023 found a “strong correlation” between wind direction originating from Punjab and Haryana and the resulting pollution levels in Delhi.
As per a report by The Hindu, On October 25 this year, stubble burning was responsible for nearly 15 per cent of Delhi’s air pollution.
With inputs from agencies.
Link to article –
