Many stations in Delhi recorded AQI of 450+ on Monday morning.
Pollution in Delhi has been at an alarming level for the last 6 days. Delhi's average AQI was 481 on Monday morning. AQI of 495 was recorded in Ashok Vihar and Bawana areas.
Due to pollution, smog has covered many parts of Delhi. Visibility has reduced to 150 meters in some areas including Palam. Due to which the flight has been affected. On Monday morning, IndiGo and SpiceJet flights took off 1 hour late.
In view of rising pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has implemented the fourth phase of Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR from 8 am on November 18, 2024. Under this all restrictions will continue till further orders.
Also, schools up to class 9 have been asked to conduct online classes. Masks have been made mandatory for children of classes 10-12.
On the other hand, orders have been announced to close primary schools in 5 districts of Haryana. GRAP-4 restrictions have also been implemented in 14 districts.
3 pictures of pollution in Delhi…
The AQI near the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Delhi touched close to 450 on Monday morning.
People took a morning walk in Delhi on Monday morning amid smog and pollution.
Roads remained empty on Monday morning due to rising pollution. People faced difficulty in driving.
Delhi CM Atishi said- All classes except 10th and 12th will be online. With the implementation of GRAP-IV, several restrictions have been imposed. Also, children, elderly, respiratory and heart patients and those suffering from chronic diseases have been advised to stay at home.
Over 2,200 old vehicles seized
The Delhi Transport Department seized another 2,234 vehicles between October 1 and November 15, which were very old. These include 260 diesel four-wheelers over 10 years old, 1,156 petrol two-wheelers and 818 petrol three- and four-wheelers over 15 years old. This process will continue till December. Launched online portal for scrapping or sale of impounded vehicles.
37% of pollution in Delhi is due to stubble burning
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), 14 places in Delhi recorded AQI 400+ at 7 am on Sunday. According to media reports, 37% of pollution in Delhi is caused by stubble burning in Delhi and surrounding states. Also, 12% of pollution is due to vehicular smoke.
Apart from Delhi, AQI has reached close to 400 in many cities of Haryana. In view of the dangerous pollution, the Haryana government has decided to conduct online classes for children up to class 5 in all schools in the state.
On the morning of November 1, Delhi recorded an AQI of over 300. The picture is from the same day. It has grown steadily since then. On 17 November, the AQI was recorded above 450.
AQI was recorded above 300 in Delhi on the morning of 1 November. The picture is from the same day. It has grown steadily since then. On November 17, AQI was recorded above 450.
GRAP is imposed when AQI crosses 400
It has been divided into 4 categories to check the level of air pollution. Scales and measures are fixed for each level. It is called Graded Response Action Plan i.e. GRAP. Under its 4 categories, the government imposes restrictions and issues measures to reduce pollution.
GRAP is imposed when AQI crosses 400
To check the level of air pollution, it is divided into 4 categories. Standards and measures are fixed for each level. It is called Graded Response Action Plan or GRAP. Under its 4 categories, the government imposes restrictions and promulgates measures to reduce pollution.
- GRAP-1: Poor (AQI 201-300)
- GRAP-2: Very Poor (AQI 301-400)
- GRAP-3: Severe (AQI 401 to 450)
- GRAP-4: Very dangerous (AQI more than 450)
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 are 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 diseases.
Weather conditions in the states…
Haryana: Schools closed till 5th in 5 districts, Gurugram's AQI reaches 576
Visibility is very low due to fog in Haryana. Due to morning fog in Panipat, vehicles were plying with lights on.
Due to dense fog and haze in Haryana, closure of primary schools has been announced in 5 districts. These districts include Rohtak, Sonipat, Nooh, Jhajjar and Panipat. These districts fall in Delhi-NCR. The AQI in Gurugram this morning was 576, which is considered very dangerous.
Bihar: Dense fog alert in 15 districts, temperature may reach 10 degrees in 72 hours
The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for dense fog in 15 districts of Bihar today.
Due to cold westerly winds in Bihar, the temperature is dropping by one to two degrees every day. Due to which the state has gradually started getting cold. The minimum temperature of Motihari and Rohtas has dropped to 13 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature is likely to touch 10 degrees Celsius in the next 3 days.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
