Post-Diwali, Delhi’s air quality plummeted to ‘severe’ category
Delhiities woke up to a thick blanket of cloudy sky on Wednesday morning as air pollution plummeted to ‘severe’ category in several parts of the national capital. Pollution level is marked as ‘severe’ when air quality index crosses 400 marks. It is largely attributed to post-Diwali fumes and stubble burning in nearby states.
As per reports, Anand Vihar was found to be the most polluted area in the capital with an AQI of 436 and Nehru Nagar following with an AQI of 430.
Pollution levels in the satellite towns of Ghaziabad (429), Greater Noida (418), and Noida (427) were worse.
An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor, and 401-500 severe. Above 500 is severe-plus emergency category. It takes into account five chief pollutants including nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO).
Delhi’s air quality took a hit on Diwali night as people brazenly flouted the Supreme Court-enforced two-hour limit for bursting crackers. Since then pollution levels have been oscillating between the lower end and the higher end of the very poor category.
The Supreme Court had ordered that only green firecrackers, which cause 30 percent less pollution, can be manufactured and sold, but a DPCC official said a large number of illegal crackers were burst on Diwali.
The Arvind Kejriwal government had organised a mega laser show in an effort to dissuade people from bursting crackers. As per various media reports, the Delhi Government may take some measures including proponing odd-even formula and increasing parking cost to curtail pollution menace.
Air pollution which contains several poisonous gases nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide may put masses at risk especially those who have asthma and breathing problems. Experts are suggesting morning walkers to use mask and avoid areas with large vehicular movement.
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