Delhi’s air turns ‘hazardous’ even before Diwali, equals to smoking over 31 cigarettes a day
Delhi’s air turns ‘hazardous’, equal to smoking over 31 cigarettes/day as AQI dips below 736 in region.
No, this isn’t diwali pollution but get ready to blame it after 10 days. pic.twitter.com/O7X9fQsr0f
— The Tatva (@thetatvaindia) November 2, 2023
Ideal to Hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI):
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, and 401 and 500 severe and above 500, it is hazardous.
Drone camera footage from Delhi’s Signature Bridge shows visibility of 500 metres only.
#WATCH | Latest ANI drone camera footage from Signature Bridge in Delhi shows the city shrouded in a thick blanket of haze.
The air quality in Delhi is in ‘Severe’ category today as per CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board). pic.twitter.com/cSWsP3QGRy
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2023
Delhi’s Recent Day’s AQI:
• While Delhi’s AQI has turned severe so far, scientists have warned of further deterioration in the air quality. On Thursday 10pm, the AQI dipped to 422, the worst of this season. The 24-hour average AQI was 364 on Wednesday, 359 on Tuesday, 347 on Monday, 325 on Sunday, 304 on Saturday, and 261 on Friday.
• The concentration of PM2.5 on Thursday exceeded the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre by seven to eightfold at multiple locations.
Why Delhi’s Air Pollution is Rising Rapidly?
• Delhi’s air pollution peaks between November 1 to November 15 when the stubble burning by the farmers of Punjab and Haryana increases. The Commission for Air Quality Management reported that this year the incidents of stubble burning in both Punjab and Haryana reduced since September 15 but there was a significant jump in the last few days.
• One of the major reasons behind the accumulation of pollutants in recent days is the lack of rainfall during this post-monsoon season so far.
Also read this:
• Delhi Air Pollution: Delhi Metro Run 20 Extra Trip To Control The AQI
What Step Towards to Tackle Delhi Air Pollution?
• Delhi Metro will run 20 extra trains as people are encouraged to ditch cars and use the metro.
#WATCH | Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai says, “We are not delaying (for odd-even). The Supreme Court has given the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) the mandate to take the decision. According to their direction, we are moving our steps. If the situation turns… pic.twitter.com/2VDgN08Smh
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2023
• All government and private primary schools in Delhi will remain shut for two days (Friday and Saturday), in view of rising pollution levels.
• demolition works, loading and unloading of construction materials anywhere within or outside the project sites, transfer of raw materials either manually or through conveyor belts, including fly ash, movement of vehicles on unpaved roads, operation of batching plant, laying of sewer line, waterline, drainage work and electric cabling by open trench system, cutting and fixing of tiles, stones and other flooring materials, waterproofing work, painting, polishing and varnishing works etc and road construction/ repair works including paving of sidewalks/pathways and central verges etc
• The government will increase the frequency of mechanised sweeping of roads and ensure daily water-sprinkling along with dust suppressants.
• Vehicles with older emissions standards have been stopped from running in some areas of NCR. Activities such as construction and demolition (C&D), stone crushing, and mining have been barred.
• The Centre has already activated Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the Centre’s air pollution control plan which is implemented in the region during the winter season.
• GRAP categorises actions into four stages: 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 Pollution: GRAP Stage-III restrictions include NCR State governments/GNCTD to impose strict restrictions on plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs (4 wheelers) in Delhi and in the districts of Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar. State governments in…
— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2023
• BS-III Petrol and BS-IV Diesel LMV vehicles operating in Delhi to face a penalty of ₹ 20,000 says Delhi Government order
Health Problems Due to Delhi’s Air Pollution:
• Considering the spike in indoor pollution in Delhi, we advised people to use air purifiers in their homes. Air pollution in India resulted in 1.67 million deaths in 2019- the largest pollution-related death toll in any country in the world- and accounted for USD 36.8 billion in economic losses, according to a new study by researchers from the Global Observatory on Pollution and Health at Boston College, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and the Public Health Foundation of India.
• Dr. Dhiren Gupta says, “Pollution is going to impact more the pediatric age group than adults… Once you are exposed in pregnancy, there are very high chance that an unborn newborn will be allergic later on. In infancy, remodelling happens in the lungs and other areas.”
#WATCH | On air pollution in Delhi, Dr. Sandeep Nayar, Principal Director, Chest and Respiratory Diseases, BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital, says, “…This is a dangerous level. This is a gas chamber. If you go out, there is irritation in the eyes and pain in the throat of… pic.twitter.com/1RbpGmoU9i
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2023