Delhi's average AQI was 337 on November 1, the day after Diwali. There is no possibility of pollution here till November 5.
Like every year in Delhi, this year too, pollution continues to increase after Diwali. Delhi's AQI was recorded at 327 at 9 pm on Saturday, reaching 507 around 6 am on Sunday. In 9 hours, Delhi's air went from 'very bad' to 'fearful' category.
PM 2.5 levels also rose significantly in Delhi on Sunday morning, Hindustan Times reported. This was reported to be 65 times more than the standard set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Delhi's average AQI was 337 on November 1, the day after Diwali. According to the Times of India report, air quality improved in Delhi on Saturday morning due to wind, however pollution started to rise in the absence of wind by evening.
Apart from Delhi, 4 cities in Uttar Pradesh and 5 cities in Haryana were among the 10 most polluted cities in the country on Sunday morning.
Firecrackers were burst in Delhi despite the ban
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) banned firecrackers till January 1, 2025. Making, storing, selling and using firecrackers is prohibited. Their online delivery was also banned, but crackers were still carried. Firecrackers increase AQI in Delhi.
Grape-I was implemented in Delhi on 14 October.
Grape-1 was implemented in Delhi NCR on October 14 after Delhi's Air Quality Index crossed 200. Under this, use of coal and wood is prohibited in hotels and restaurants. The Commission of Air Quality Management has directed agencies to strictly monitor the operation of old petrol and diesel vehicles (BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel).
The commission has also asked agencies to increase the use of anti-smog guns, water sprinklers and dust repellent technology in road construction, renovation projects and maintenance activities.
Claim- 69% households in Delhi are affected by pollution According to NDTV, a survey conducted by private agency Local Circle claimed that 69% of households in Delhi-NCR are affected by pollution. 21 thousand people responded in this survey report released on Friday. It revealed that in 62% of households in Delhi-NCR, at least 1 member suffers from eye irritation.
Also, in 46% families, a member suffers from cold or breathing problem and in 31% families, one member suffers from asthma.
What is AQI and why are high levels dangerous?
AQI is a type of thermometer. It works to measure pollution rather than just temperature. Through this scale, the amount of CO (Carbon Dioxide), Ozone, NO2 (Nitrogen Dioxide), PM 2.5 (Particulate Matter) and PM 10 pollutants present in the air is checked and shown in readings ranging from zero to 500.
The higher the amount of pollution in the air, the higher the AQI level. And the higher the AQI, the more dangerous the air. Although an AQI between 200 and 300 is also considered bad, the situation is such that it has gone above 300 in many cities in Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. This increasing AQI is not just a number. This is also a sign of danger of upcoming illnesses.
What is PM, how is it measured?
PM stands for Particulate Matter. The very small particles i.e. particulate matter in the air are identified by their size. 2.5 is the size of uniform particulate matter, measured in microns.
Its main cause is smoke, wherever something is burning then understand that PM2.5 is spreading from there. The tip size of the hair on a human head is between 50 and 60 microns. This is an even smaller 2.5.
It is clear that even the eyes cannot see it. To measure whether the air quality is good or not, the levels of PM2.5 and PM10 are looked at. The number of PM2.5 in the air is 60 and the number of PM10 is less than 100, which means that the air quality is good. Burning gasoline, oil, diesel and wood produces the most PM2.5.
related to pollution…
Supreme Court warns Haryana-Punjab Govt, said- Don't force strict orders
A hearing was held in the Supreme Court on Wednesday regarding the increasing air pollution in Delhi. The Chief Secretaries of Punjab and Haryana appeared in the court. The Supreme Court slammed the Punjab government for giving false information. Even the Supreme Court does not seem satisfied with the action of the Haryana government.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
