Shilpa Harikumar
2nd November 2020
Delhi- India's pollution capital had several areas covered by thick smog on Thursday, further depleting the air quality into a severe condition. The rise in pollution levels has been linked to the recent spike in farm fires and lack of wind speeds.
Air pollution in Delhi worsens(Source-Indian Express)
Air quality index (AQI)—recorded at 11 amwas392. According to news agency PTI, fourteen other stations, including Shadipur (406), Patparganj (411), Jahangirpuri (429), and VivekVihar (432) — recorded air quality in the ‘severe’ category.
An AQI between 0–50 is marked good, 51–100 is satisfactory, 101–200 is moderate, 201–300 is low, 301–400 is very poor, and 401–500 is considered severe. The air quality remained in similar conditions on Monday with a slight decrease. AQI recorded at 362 in Sonia Vihar, 345 in Bawana, 326 in Patparganj, and 373 in Jahangirpuri– all the four still in the 'inferior' category, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.
President Ram Nath Kovind signed an ordinance on Wednesday for a Commission to manage air quality in the National Capital Region, including areas in the north-west states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. The Commission, which will be working with ISRO and CPCB and respective state governments, has exclusive jurisdiction over the NCRin matters of air pollution. Following which, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launched a ‘Green Delhi’ mobile app on Thursday to tackle the air pollution crisis. The app allows users to file complaints about waste burning, industrial pollution, and other polluting activities along with audio-visual proof.Delhi Environment Minister— Gopal Rai has also taken the initiative by announcing that the Delhi government is reported to launch an anti-firecracker campaign from 3rd November — considering the risk of increased air pollution the severity in the transmission of COVID-19.
The deteriorating air quality, especially in October till December, has been attributed mostly to the stubble burnings and farm fires in the fields of North Indian states—specifically Punjab. Data from the Ministry of Earth sciences' air quality monitor SAFAR showed that stubble burning emissions from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh increased Delhi's PM2.5 levels. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that the dip in wind speed on Wednesday allowed the further accumulation of pollutants. It is to be seen whether there is any sign of improvement in the coming days.
(Sources- The Hindu, The Indian Express, India Today)
Edited by- Hithesh Jain