Delhi News: A day before Diwali, the National Capital’s air quality index plummeted into “severe,” prompting the declaration of an air emergency on Thursday. Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, declared that all government and elementary schools in Delhi would be closed on Friday and Saturday due to the rising levels of pollution.
Delhi Government Bans Non-Essential Building Projects
The construction of non-essential buildings and the operation of BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel vehicles in Delhi Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar have been prohibited by the Delhi government. The whole Delhi AQI on Friday morning was in the “severe” category, with the areas around IGI Airport (T3) 473, Jahangirpuri at 491, Lodhi Road at 438, and RK Puram at 486.
Understanding AQI Categories
An AQI of zero to fifty is good, 51 to one hundred satisfactory, 101 to 200 moderate, 201 to 300 poor, 301 to 400 very poor, 401 to 500 severe, and more than 500 dangerous. Scientists have warned of additional deterioration in the air quality, even if Delhi’s AQI has turned severe thus far. The AQI fell to 422, the lowest level of the season, on Thursday around 10 p.m. On Wednesday, it was 364; on Tuesday, it was 359; on Monday, it was 347; on Sunday, it was 325; on Saturday, it was 304; and on Friday, it was 261.
Stubble Burning Impact
At several sites on Thursday, the amount of PM2.5 exceeded the recommended limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre by a factor of seven to eight. A model-based study conducted on Thursday in Delhi by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune found that smoke from burning stubble accounted for 25% of the PM2.5 pollution in the area. Today, it might increase to 35%. October 2023 saw the worst air quality in Delhi since 2020 because there was no October rain this year. October 2023 saw only 5.4 mm of precipitation, compared to 129 mm in October 2022 and 123 mm in October 2021.
Section 144 in Gurugram
The period from November 1 to November 15, when farmers in Punjab and Haryana start burning their stubble, is when Delhi’s air pollution peaks. According to the Commission for Air Quality Management, there has been a notable increase in the recent few days despite the fact that stubble burning occurrences in Punjab and Haryana have decreased after September 15. In Gurugram, Section 144 has been triggered due to the deteriorating air quality index. Beginning on Friday, GRAP III limitations also apply to Noida and Greater Noida. Delhi Metro is promoting using the metro instead of driving a car, hence they will be operating 20 extra trains.
Tips to Save Yourself From Delhi Air Pollution
- Avoid Hard Exercise
- Use a face mask when walking outside
- Grow air-purifying plants indoors
- Use an air purifier indoors, whether at work or at home
- Regularly take steam baths
- Consume the recommended amount of nutritious food
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