Delhi was declared India’s most polluted city in October, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 111 micrograms per cubic meter. The Center for Energy and Clean Air Research (CREA) in its monthly air quality report revealed that the national capital was India’s most polluted city in October and all the top 10 polluted cities in India were in the National Capital Region in October . (NCR).
“The average in Delhi in October was 2.5 times higher than the September average of 43 micrograms per cubic meter. Delhi recorded 9 days in the ‘Good’ category, 5 days in the ‘Satisfactory’ category, 8 days in the ‘Moderate’ category, 4 days in the ‘Poor’ category (91-120 µg/m³) and 14 days in the category Category ‘Very poor’ (121-250 µg/m³). The October average is 2.5 times higher than the September average of 43 µg/m³, when there were 9 days in the ‘Good’ category, 16 days in the ‘Satisfactory’ category, 4 days in the ‘Moderate’ category and were in the ‘Moderate’ category for 1 day. Category “Very Poor (121-250),” the report said
“While the average contribution of stubble burning to PM2.5 levels in Delhi in October was less than 10%, the increased PM2.5 concentration indicates contributions from year-round sources,” it added.
The other most polluted NCR cities are Ghaziabad (110 micrograms per cubic meter), Muzaffarnagar (103), Hapur (98), Noida (93), Meerut (90), Charkhi Dadri (86), Greater Noida (86), Gurugram ( 83) and Bahadurgarh (83).
Meanwhile, toxic smog hung over the capital on Tuesday and more stations recorded ‘severe’ air quality, even as the capital’s overall air quality index remained at the highest levels of the ‘very poor’ zone for the seventh day in a row. The smog that had formed in the morning persisted throughout the day due to the calm wind and fog conditions and continued to rise as the day progressed due to this pollution. According to Switzerland-based IQ Air app, Delhi’s PM2.5 concentration was found to be 41.4 times higher than the WHO’s annual air quality guideline at 12 noon.
The city’s average AQI was 373 at 4pm on Tuesday. This figure was slightly better compared to the 24-hour average recorded at 4pm on Monday, when the AQI stood at 381. During the morning, air pollution in many areas in Delhi remained in the ‘severe’ category for the third day in a row. on Tuesday, with the average AQI in Anand Vihar reaching 448 (PM10). Of the 38 AQI monitoring stations in different parts of the national capital, 13 were in ‘severe’ air quality zones. These include NSIT Dwarka, Nehru Nagar, Moti Marg, Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Dwarka, Sonia Vihar, Vivek Vihar, Punjabi Bagh, Mundka, Wazirpur, Rohini and Jahangirpuri.
The air quality index is expected to deteriorate in the coming day as experts have attributed that AQI is expected to remain in the “very poor” or “severe” category as winds become calm without any new western disturbance.
Currently, the main contributors to PM2.5 pollution are local and regional sources. The massive increase in air pollution is attributed to the large number of vehicles on the roads, construction work, dust, burning stubble and calm winds. The transportation sector is the largest contributor at 10.778 percent, according to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) Decision Support System data. While the contribution of the residential sector is 2.854 percent, industries contributed (2.67 percent), construction 1.47 percent, energy sector 1.395 percent, waste incineration 1.048 percent and road dust 0.86 percent.
The Delhi government has identified 13 air pollution hotspots: Narela, Bawana, Mundka, Wazirpur, Rohini, RK Puram, Okhla, Jahangirpuri, Anand Vihar (including Mandoli), Punjabi Bagh, Mayapuri, Dwarka and Ashok Vihar.
According to the early warning system, there was mainly smog during the day with prevailing surface winds from variable directions with a wind speed of 04-06 kmph and calm winds at night. “The wind was of variable direction at a speed of 4-08 km per hour in Delhi and NCR, causing smog/silt fog in the morning. The predicted maximum mixing depth was estimated at 1750 m. A ventilation index lower than 6000 m2/s with an average wind speed of less than 10 km/h is unfavorable for the dispersion of pollutants. “Meteorological conditions are likely to be extremely unfavorable for the dispersion of pollutants,” the report said.
Residents have been advised not to undertake any physical activity outdoors to avoid the risk of inhaling toxic fumes that could lead to long-term respiratory diseases. Air quality deteriorates with an increase in the presence of toxic particulate matter (PM) 2.5 and 10
Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday said a campaign will be launched from Wednesday to discourage open burning of waste in view of rising air pollution. Addressing a press conference, Rai said 588 teams from various civic bodies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), will be deployed on the ground to report open fire incidents in the city. “The pollution level in Delhi has reached 400, the next ten days will be crucial. I held a meeting with 33 departments to take stock of the situation. All departments have been instructed to remain alert,” Rai said.