Ahead of Diwali, Delhi's Air Quality continues to alarm citizens

Delhi’s air quality continues to alarm its citizen with it remaining in the very poor category on Friday despite several measures being implemented in the national capital ahead of Diwali, when massive pollution is expected to hit the city. The Overall Air Quality index of Delhi-NCR was recorded at 368 which comes under the very poor category, as per a data by the Central Pollution Control Board.

The PM2.5 level was recorded at 210 with fine particulates can be a matter of more serious health concern than PM10 (particles in the air with less than 10 micrometres of diameter).

Four areas in Delhi marked “severe” air quality whereas 29 areas recorded “very poor” air quality, as per a CPCB data.

The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) data said, the PM10 level in Delhi stood at 333, while predicting that the AQI of Delhi-NCR would continue to fall under “very poor” category for the next three days.

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“This is mainly due to weather conditions as stubble contribution is marginal now. The moisture intrusion over Delhi and surrounding regions due to the westerlies disturbances will increase with effect from November 4 to enhanced holding capacity of atmosphere resulting in increase in PM2.5 levels,” the SAFAR website said.

“Winds are calm and it is favourable for stagnation of pollution. Although upper air winds where transport takes place are from stubble burning site but speed and magnitude is low and hence unlikely to impact Delhi air quality significantly,” it added.

Nine per cent of the PM2.5 pollution in the national capital is caused due to stubble burning, as per SAFAR.

All construction activities involving excavation in Delhi-NCR have been paused with civil construction being suspended, and all stone crushers and hot mix plants that generates dust pollution have been closed for the time being.

The Delhi Pollution Control Committee has also directed the Transport Department and the traffic police to intensify the checking of polluting vehicles and control travel traffic in the region during November 1-10.