Delhi Air Pollution: After Slight Improvement, Air Quality Again Turns Severe After Diwali Due to Stubble Burning
Earlier in the day, the air quality had improved to 'very poor' from severe as local pollutants reduce after Diwali. Delhi and its surrounding areas have been witnessing the worst air pollution that the national capital has seen this year.
New Delhi, November 10: After the air quality in Delhi improved on Saturday morning, it again turned ‘severe’ by evening due to unfavourable weather conditions. Authorities informed that the air quality worsened due to a significant increase in pollution from stubble burning. Earlier in the day, the air quality had improved to 'very poor' from 'severe' category as local pollutants reduced after Diwali.
Delhi and its surrounding areas have been witnessing the worst air pollution this year. On Saturday morning, the pollution level had dipped marginally with air quality index of 394 but by evening the pollution again dropped from ‘very poor’ category to ‘severe’ level and an AQI of 403 was recorded. As per details by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the PM 2.5 level was recorded at 261 while the PM10 was recorded at 416 in Delhi. According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data, major pollutant PM 2.5 is at 500 (Severe) and PM 10 at 298 (Poor) in Lodhi Road area.
Authorities informed that fifteen areas in the national capital recorded ‘severe’ air quality while 19 areas recorded ‘very poor’ pollution levels. The Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) informed that the overall air quality index of Delhi has improved and is likely to go back to ‘very poor’ range against all odds and averse weather conditions. Meanwhile, the control measures taken by authorities also helped in improving the air quality of the national capital. Delhi Air Pollution: Model of White Lungs Erected to Indicate Air Quality Turns Grey Within Two Days of Diwali, View Pics!
It must be noted that an AQI between 0 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’.
On Thursday, the stubble burning in neighbouring states was the “largest-ever recorded” this year which may lead to a further deterioration in the already “severe” air quality of the national capital. According to a report by PTI, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) said that 2,100 fire counts were observed on Thursday over north western region of India. “It was the largest-ever recorded for this year. It was around four times higher than Wednesday,” the IITM said.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 10, 2018 11:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).