Delhi a gas chamber, government shuts down schools till 5th November as AQI at worst-ever
Delhi has, literally, been overcome by pollution. Delhi's air quality index (AQI) on Friday was 533 as it continued to be in the "severe" category for the fifth consecutive day.
Delhi has, literally, been overcome by pollution. Delhi's air quality index (AQI) on Friday was 533 — making it the worst-ever at this time of the year — as it continued to be in the "severe" category for the fifth consecutive day. This has forced Delhi government to announce a school holiday and that it will be in force till the 5th of November. No relief is expected before Sunday when the onset of an western disturbance is forecast that should disperse the accumulated pollutants.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called the national capital "a gas chamber" as National Capital Region`s Ghaziabad was said to be the most polluted zone.
"Delhi has turned into a gas chamber due to smoke from crop burning in neighbouring states. It is very important that we protect ourselves from this toxic air. Through private and government schools, we have started distributing 50 lakh masks today (Friday). I urge all Delhiites to use them whenever needed," Kejriwal tweeted.
The PM10 count at 555 slipped to the severe category that was earlier in the "very poor" zone. The PM 2.5 at 383 continues to worsen.
According to Safar India, the calm surface wind condition that has prevailed ever since the Diwali celebrations on October 27, has led to strong surface nocturnal inversion and accumulation of the pollutants.
The effective stubble fire counts of Haryana and Punjab has shown an increase in trend and reached its peak value this year at 3,178.
The stubble fire percentage contribution to Delhi`s air quality touched the season`s highest share of 44 per cent on Thursday and is predicted to be 38 per cent on Friday.
According to the forecast, a slight improvement in AQI is expected by Saturday but in the same severe category.
By Sunday, significant improvement in air quality to the upper end of "very poor to severe" is expected, and by Monday, further improvement to the "very poor" category is expected.
The transport-level wind direction is westerly as of Friday but forecast to be Northwesterly for the next two days and favourable for plume transport.
A fresh Western Disturbance -- an upper air trough runs roughly above the northwest border of Rajasthan as of Friday -- which is likely to advance to eastern regions of northwest India by Saturday.
"The Western Disturbance is likely to positively influence Delhi`s air quality by increasing surface and boundary layer winds speed (increasing ventilation) and thereby flushing out the accumulated pollutants," the forecast said.
In a clampdown on polluting sources, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has shut down coal-based industries, construction activities till tomorrow.
CBCB has asked all implementing agencies to remain vigilant, intensify actions for controlling burning of waste, dust from C&D activities, road dust, and strictly enforce the law. Road dust must be controlled with multiple applications of water sprinkling or along with dust suppressants.
It has asked Punjab and Haryana to take immediate stringent actions to curb stubble burning. Biomass burning in Delhi and other NCR towns must also be strictly checked, it said.
Get Latest Business News, Stock Market Updates and Videos; Check your tax outgo through Income Tax Calculator and save money through our Personal Finance coverage. Check Business Breaking News Live on Zee Business Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe on YouTube.
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Retirement Planning: SIP+SWP combination; Rs 15,000 monthly SIP for 25 years and then Rs 1,52,000 monthly income for 30 years
Top Gold ETF vs Top Large Cap Mutual Fund 10-year Return Calculator: Which has given higher return on Rs 11 lakh investment; see calculations
Retirement Calculator: 40 years of age, Rs 50,000 monthly expenses; what should be retirement corpus and monthly investment
SBI 444-day FD vs Union Bank of India 333-day FD: Know maturity amount on Rs 4 lakh and Rs 8 lakh investments for general and senior citizens
EPF vs SIP vs PPF Calculator: Rs 12,000 monthly investment for 30 years; which can create highest retirement corpus
Home loan EMI vs Mutual Fund SIP Calculator: Rs 70 lakh home loan EMI for 20 years or SIP equal to EMI for 10 years; which can be easier route to buy home; know maths
02:44 PM IST