Delhi Pollution Worsening Again, No Respite Even After Rain
Level of PM2.5 on Monday morning was at a “severe” 644.
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Delhi air quality continued to oscillate between 'poor' and ‘very poor’ on Saturday, 17 November. The overall air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 309, which comes under 'very poor' category, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR).
There had been some respite from pollution on Wednesday and Thursday after rain washed away the pollutants but the rainfall also led to an increase in air capacity to hold pollutants.
A total of 50 lakh crackers were burst on Diwali this year, spreading 1,50,000 kg of mass of PM 2.5 into the air.
- Delhi recorded the worst air quality of the year post Diwali
- Many areas of Delhi recorded ‘Hazardous’ category in the AQI, with some areas in East and Central Delhi recording as high as 999
- A total of 50 lakh crackers were burst in Delhi, that spread 1,50,000 kg PM2.5 mass into the air.
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Air Quality Predicted to Be Very Poor
"The AQI (air quality index) is predicted to be in the lower range of Very Poor today as the atmosphere is relatively clean," a System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) official told Press Trust of India.
Tweeple Share What "Hazardous" Looks Like
Various people from Delhi-NCR have taken to Twitter to condemn the sorry state of affairs and to appeal to all to not burst crackers and make it all even worse this Diwali.
Pollution Norm Violators Fined More Than Rs 83 Lakh on 4 Nov Alone
Penalty of over Rs 83 lakh was imposed on violators of pollution norms on 4 November alone. 52 teams, deployed to fine violators and ensure measures to curb air pollution were being implemented, imposed a total fine of Rs 83,55,000 on the basis of 368 complaints.
This practice of fining violators is being carried out under the 'Clean Air Campaign' by The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Faux Lungs Installed in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital to Raise Awareness
A pair of faux lungs have been installed by the Help Delhi Breathe initiative, the Lung Care Foundation and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. The installation has been put up in an attempt to raise awareness about air pollution and to show its detrimental effects on the lungs of those living in Delhi.
The lungs are made of HEPA filters (same as those used in face masks) and they have fans inside them to pull in the air and mimic the function of human lungs.
Air purifiers were also installed at ITO area of New Delhi.
Delhi Suffers 'Death by Breath', Says Congress' Abhishek Singhvi
Commenting on the air pollution crisis, Congress’ Abhishek Singhvi said that Delhi and north Delhi suffer from a disease called ‘death by breath’.
Speaking at a press conference in Delhi, Singhvi criticised the current air quality condition in the capital and blamed Delhi government for failing to act.
All Agencies To Be on Full Alert, Says Dr Harsh Vardhan
Environment Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said that no leniency will be be shown towards people who violate pollution norms. He also directed all agencies to be on full alert for air pollution control.
According to him, stubble burning in neighbouring states and adverse meteorological conditions are a cause of worry.
Delhi Minister Directs Agencies to Undertake Water Sprinkling After Diwali
Delhi’s Environment Minister Imran Hussain directed all concerned agencies to undertake water sprinkling from high-rise buildings after Diwali for settling the suspended dust particles.
According to a statement by the Delhi government, all municipal corporations, Public Works Department (PWD) and the Delhi Fire Service will sprinkle water from high-rise buildings after Diwali on Wednesday.
Delhi's Air Quality to Be Bad After Diwali Even If Partial Toxic Crackers Burned: SAFAR
Delhi's air quality is expected to deteriorate to 'severe plus emergency' category after Diwali, according to a government-run agency.
Air quality will be "bad" on 8 November even if "partial toxic crackers" are burned compared to last year, the Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) said.
Delhi Police Seizes 3,847 kg Firecrackers, 26 Arrested so Far
The Delhi police has seized a total of 3847.77 kg of fire crackers in Delhi this year, according to a document procured by news agency ANI. According to the document, 29 cases have been registered and 26 people have been arrested so far.
Delhi's Air Quality Continues to be 'Poor'
Prominent pollutants PM 2.5 in 'Severe' category and PM 10 in 'Poor' category in Delhi’s Lodhi Road area.
"Breathing is Killing Me": Locals Demonstrate Outside Paryavaran Bhavan
Demonstrations were held outside the Indira Paryavaran Bhavan, with students and locals holding placards pointing out that "breathing is killing me" and demanding to know "what happened to NCP (National Contingency Plan)?"
'Delhi is Like a Dust Bowl, Collecting Pollution'
Siddharth Singh, author of 'The Great Smog of India', while speaking to Bloomberg Quint, said that Delhi’s air pollution problem is amplified because of its geographical location and meteorological condition.
“Delhi has an atmospheric inversion problem as it is in the northern Gangetic plains. This means the wind speeds in the city reduce by more than half in winters, making Delhi a dust bowl that collects pollutants,” he said.
Watch the full interview here:
Pollution Watchdog Recommends Ban On Heavy Vehicles in Delhi For 2 Days
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) held a meeting with transport authorities and advised them to ban the entry of heavy vehicles from November 8 to 10, Prashant Gargava, Member Secretary of the statutory organisation under the environment ministry said.
(PTI)
Delhi's Air Quality May Deteriorate to 'Severe Plus Emergency'
Delhi's air quality is expected to deteriorate to 'severe plus emergency' category after Diwali on November 8 even if "partial toxic crackers" are burned compared to last year, the Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) has said.
(PTI)
Noida to Hold Mega Plantation Drive on 17 November
The Noida Authority is aiming to achieve the goal of sowing 1.5 lakh saplings across the city - breaking its own record of a single-day afforestation created on August 15 - when 1,04,918 saplings were planted, officials said.
(Source: PTI)
AQI in Delhi on Diwali Day
According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data, major pollutant PM 2.5 is at 228 (poor) and PM 10 at 232 (poor) in Lodhi Road area.
Thick Haze Engulfs Delhi as Diwali Celebrations Continue Long After SC Deadline
The online indicators of the pollution monitoring stations in the city indicated "poor" and "very poor" air quality as the volume of ultra-fine particulates PM2.5 and PM10, which enter the respiratory system and manage to reach the bloodstream, sharply rose from around 8 pm.
According to the CPCB data, the 24-hour rolling average of PM2.5 and PM10 were 164 and 294 micrograms per cubic metre respectively.
SAFAR Forecasts "Bad" Air Quality Post Diwali
The SAFAR forecast "bad" air quality on Thursday, 8 November, even though partially toxic crackers were burst as compared to 2017.
It also said the pollution levels would peak between 11 am and 3 am Wednesday and Thursday.
Thick Layer of Smog Engulfs Delhi Post Diwali
Delhi's pollution levels rose sharply post Diwali as most of the city was blanketed by a thick layer of smog early on Thursday, 8 November.
Parts of Delhi Register 'Hazardous' Levels on AQI
Many areas of Delhi recorded 'Hazardous' category in the Air Quality Index (AQI), with Anand Vihar at 999, the area around US Embassy in Chanakyapuri at 459 and the area around Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium also at 999.
Watch: Diwali Celebrations Continued Long After SC Deadline
Delhi Records Worst Air Quality of Year After Diwali
Delhi recorded its worst air quality of the year the morning after Diwali as the pollution level entered "severe-plus emergency" category due to rampant bursting of toxic firecrackers, authorities said on Thursday, 8 November.
In a gross violation of a Supreme Court order, people in several cities burst firecrackers until at least midnight, two hours after the 10 PM deadline. Loud bangs rent the air in New Delhi. Violations were also recorded in Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur and other major cities.
Fire Department Sprinkles Water as Pollution Control Measure
Personnel of fire service department sprinkled water in Delhi’s Anand Vihar area on Thursday, 8 November, to settle the dust as a pollution control measure, ANI reported.
Heavy and Medium Goods Vehicles Not Allowed Inside Post 11 PM
Heavy and medium goods vehicles will not be allowed to enter Delhi on Thursday, 8 November from 11 PM onwards, ANI reported quoting Joint Commissioner of Traffic Police, Delhi.
The ban will continue till 11 pm on 11 November, the report added.
Vehicles carrying essential goods are exempted.
Diwali 2018 More Polluted than Last Year, PM Concentration Spiked at Night
This year’s Diwali in Delhi was more polluted as compared to last year, the Indian Express reported, citing DPCC data.
Wazirpur area in northwest Delhi recorded a PM 2,5 concentration of 936 at 10 pm which shot up to an alarming 4,659 µg/m3 at 1 am. Near the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, the PM 2.5 concentration was recoded at 404 µg/m3 at 10 pm, which shot up to 1,771 µg/m3 at midnight and peaked at 1,990 µg/m3 at 1 am.
Similarly at RK Puram, PM2.5 levels went from 602 µg/m3 at 8 pm to 2,851 µg/m3 at 11 pm.
50 Lakh kg Crackers Burnt This Diwali, 310 Arrested
Close to 50 lakh kilograms of firecrackers were burst in Delhi on Diwali despite a Supreme Court directive limiting the bursting of crackers to only two hours, according to a report by a research group.
That is the same amount of firecrackers burst last year.
Reacting to the report by Urban Emissions, Ritwick Dutta, environment lawyer, said the violation is not unexpected.
In a gross violation of a Supreme Court order, people in several cities burst firecrackers before and after the specified time period.
Loud bangs rent the air in New Delhi. Violations were also reported in Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur and other major cities.
According to a Times of India report, the Delhi police registered 634 cases and arrested 310 people for violating the Supreme Court order.
Delhi Continues to Breathe 'Hazardous' Air
Air Quality in RK Puram 'Unhealthy', Anand Vihar 'Hazardous'
RK Puram is at 278 under 'Very Unhealthy' category, in the Air Quality Index, as reported by ANI.
Anand Vihar at 533 and area around PGDAV College, Sriniwaspuri at 422 under 'Hazardous' category .
Pollution A 'Crisis' In India: UN Environment Chief
The UN Environment chief, Erik Solheim termed air pollution in India as a "crisis" that requires government, policy-makers, scientists and civil society to come together to mitigate, and asserted "we need to count on the support of the public in this", PTI reported.
Solhiem also expressed confidence in the government stating that the country has scripted success in eradicating polio and tackling other health emergencies and there is no reason why the country cannot do so for air pollution.
Air Quality Was "Severe" for 3 Consecutive Days
Delhi's air quality oscillated between very poor and severe categories on Sunday, 11 November, as pollutants released in the atmosphere due to bursting of firecrackers got trapped due to slow surface winds, authorities informed PTI.
The overall air quality index was recorded at 397, which falls in the very poor category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board data.
The Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) recorded the AQI at 419, which falls in the severe category.
According to HT, Sunday was the third consecutive day when pollution levels were severe. However, improvement, according to CPCB, was likely on Monday with the speed of surface winds being expected to pick up.
A Week After Diwali, Delhi Suffers With 'Poor' and 'Very Poor' AQI
Six days after Diwali, on 13 November, Tuesday, Delhi languished at PM 10 level at 286 and PM 2.5 level at 373, in 'Poor' and 'Very Poor' categories respectively on Air Quality Index (AQI), at Lodhi Road, reported ANI.
Complete Ban on Non-CNG Vehicles If Air Quality Deteriorates: EPCA
The Supreme Court-appointed Environment Protection Control Authority (EPCA) has warned that if the air quality in Delhi continues to deteriorate then it would impose a complete ban on the use of non-CNG private as well as commercial vehicles.
On Monday, 12 November, EPCA Chairman Bhure Lal, in a letter to chief secretary of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh said the vehicle sticker has not been implemented and without this it is not possible to distinguish between diesel and other fuelled vehicles.
"In the scenario that the weather remains adverse and that the current situation of air quality remains in 'very poor' or 'severe category' then there is no option but to direct for a complete stop on the use of private and commercial vehicles other than those plying on CNG so that pollution can be contained," Lal said in the letter.
(Source: PTI)
Smoggy Morning in Delhi, Light Showers Recorded: MeT
Delhiites woke up to a smoggy morning on Tuesday with light rainfall in parts of the city, MeT department said.
The minimum temperature in Delhi-NCR settled at 14 degrees Celsius while the maximum temperature is expected to reach 30 degrees Celsius.
The MeT Department has predicted a cloudy sky with light rains across the city through the day.
Light rainfall was recorded in central and eastern parts of the national capital even as smog engulfed it, a MeT department official said. The relative humidity was recorded at 86 percent, he said.
On Monday, the maximum and minimum temperatures were recorded at 30.2 and 14.2 degrees Celsius respectively.
(Source: PTI)
Complete Ban on Non-CNG Vehicles, Odd-Even Only Options: EPCA
The Supreme Court directed for vehicle sticker scheme which would identify vehicles by fuel type/age. But this scheme hasn't been implemented by government, said Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) in letter to Central Pollution Control Board & Graded Response Action Plan Task Force.
Only option is to look at either complete ban on all private vehicles other than CNG & or restriction of plying by number plate (odd-even). Note that odd-even scheme, as practised in other cities for similar pollution abatement is done for extended hours & includes all private vehicles, said EPCA.
(Source: ANI)
Pollution Continues to Oscillate Between 'Poor' and 'Very Poor'
Delhi's air quality continued to oscillate between 'poor' and 'very poor' categories on Saturday, 17 November due to increased pollutant holding capacity of air after rainfall and stubble burning in neighbouring states.
The Centre-run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) said that air pollution was on a path to reversal, and that it had increased after the impact of rain got over. The AQI was entering the 'very poor' range again.
The overall air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 309, which comes under 'very poor' category, according to the SAFAR.
On Saturday, the PM 2.5 particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres level was recorded at 122, while the PM 10 level was recorded at 228, according to Central Pollution Control Board data.
Delhi's air quality showed significant improvement on Wednesday and Thursday after rain washed away the pollutants but the rainfall also led to an increase in air capacity to hold pollutants, SAFAR said.
(Source: PTI)
Delhi's Air Quality to Remain Bad for the Next Few Days
Delhi's air quality on Wednesday, 21 November touched 373 in the 'very poor' category, same as the day before.
Over the past few days, the air quality in the national capital has remained bad as the wind speed in the region fell.
SAFAR forecast showed that the air quality will remain in the upper range of 'very poor' for the next two or three days.
SAFAR said that the impact of stubble burning has gone down considerably. On Wednesday, its contribution to PM 2.5 was 3 percent, compared to 4 percent on Tuesday and 5 percent on Monday.