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How to tackle Delhi's rapidly deteriorating air quality?

In this episode of The Urban Debate Weekend, with Afrida Rehman, we discuss once the gas chamber that the national capital has become in the last few days. The air quality has deteriorated while political parties are blaming each other. We are joined by Dr Surajit Chatterjee from Indraprastha Apollo Hospital who shares some important tips on how to curb this yearly nightmare. We’re also joined by Avikal Somvanshi from the Centre For Science and Environment who answers some poignant questions posed by Rehman. He also shares how different governments are to blame for the hell that Delhi becomes every year. He also says that IMD is very good at predicting the smog and highest polluting days and thus precautions can be taken much in advance. We also discuss the steps that Delhi is planning to take to tackle the catastrophe. We also discuss how the pollution has affected cyclists of Delhi and other exercise enthusiasts. Captain Shalini Singh, a spokesperson from the Aam Aadmi Party also explains the measures taken by the Delhi government and the possibility of a complete lockdown as suggested by the Supreme Court. Keep watching to know more! #TheUrbanDebateWeekend #AfridaRehman #DelhiAirQuality

Delhi air quality deteriorates further, AQI now stands at 499

According to an analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), people in the national capital breathe the worst air between November 1 and November 15 every year. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe". According to the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the air quality is considered to be in the emergency category if the PM2.5 and PM10 levels continue to be above 300 micrograms per cubic metre and 500 micrograms per cubic metre respectively for 48 hours or more. Officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said moderate fog and low temperatures in the morning -- Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 12.6 degrees Celsius on Friday -- and calm winds have been trapping pollutants close to the ground. "Visibility levels at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Safdarjung Airport dropped to 200-500 metres due to moderate fog. It (fog) has intensified on Friday due to high humidity," an official said. Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) had Wednesday said the ongoing smog episode is a public health emergency and could be the longest in four years. The longer duration of this year's smog, despite relatively windier local conditions, might be due to a lack of pollution control measures in the city, the CSE had said in a report. In another report, it said vehicles accounted for more than 50 per cent of Delhi's pollution during the early phase of this year's winter, from October 24 to November 8. According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality forecasting agency SAFAR, stubble burning has accounted for at least 25 per cent of Delhi's PM2.5 pollution for nine days on the trot, starting November 4. Gufran Beig, the founder project director of SAFAR, said stubble burning generally contributes in PM2.5 but this time its coarser particles in PM10 are also becoming a lead pollutant at several locations in Delhi. "This is a new feature in winter period. This is mainly because of particle growth mechanism due to high humidity at night and increased humidity during the day probably due to water sprinkling which also increases the holding capacity of the air. Since flow is regular many PM2.5 particles are growing towards PM10 (sic)," he said. The share of farm fires in Delhi's pollution had increased to 48 per cent on Sunday, the highest since November 5, 2018, when it was recorded at 58 per cent. Last year, the share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution had peaked at 42 per cent on November 5. In 2019, crop residue burning accounted for 44 per cent of Delhi's PM2.5 pollution on November 1. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai Friday launched the second leg of a campaign to control dust pollution. On Thursday, he had launched a month-long campaign to prevent open burning of waste and biomass in the city in a bid to further cut down pollution from local sources.

Delhi Pollution: दिल्‍ली में स्‍मॉग संकट गहराया, CPCB ने कहा- आपात कदम के लिए रहें तैयार, क्‍या फिर लागू होगा ऑड-ईवन फॉर्मूला?

नई दिल्‍ली : राष्‍ट्रीय राजधानी दिल्‍ली में प्रदूषण का संकट कम होता नजर नहीं आ रहा है। शनिवार को भी यहां वायु गुणत्‍ता सूचकांक (AQI) 499 दर्ज किया गया, जो हवा में भारी मात्रा में प्रदूषक तत्‍वों की मौजूदगी के कारण वायु प्रदूषण की गंभीर स्थिति को दर्शाता है। स्‍मॉग के कारण बिगड़ते हालात के बीच अब केंद्रीय प्रदूषण बोर्ड ने भी चेतावनी जारी की है और राज्‍य सरकारों से हालात को नियंत्रित करने के लिए 'आपात' कदम उठाने के लिए तैयार रहने को कहा है। दिल्‍ली-एनसीआर में अक्‍टूबर के आखिर से ही प्रदूषण की स्थिति विकराल बनी हुई है, जिसमें दिवाली के बाद और बढ़ोतरी हुई है। इसमें पराली जलाने की घटनाओं के साथ-साथ दिवाली पर हुई आतिशबाजी का भी अहम योगदान है। बढ़ती ठंड व गिरते तापमान तथा हवा की कम होती रफ्तार के बीच यहां के वातावरण में धुंध साफ देखी जा सकती है। इन सबके बीच केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (CPCB) ने हालात की गंभीरता को देखते हुए लोगों को घरों से कम से कम बाहर निकलने और वाहनों का इस्‍तेमाल कम करने की सलाह दी है। वाहनों का इस्‍तेमाल 30 फीसदी तक कम करने की सलाह CPCB के मुताबिक, दिल्‍ली-एनसीआर में 18 नवंबर तक स्थितियां अनुकूल होने के आसार नजर नहीं आ रहे हैं। ऐसे में जरूरी है कि लोग बहुत आवश्‍यक होने पर ही घरों से बाहर निकलें। बोर्ड ने सरकारी और निजी कार्यालयों को वाहनों का इस्‍तेमाल 30 फीसदी तक तक करने के लिए कहा है। इसके लिए वर्क-फ्रॉम होम करने, कार पूलिंग जैसे उपाय अपनाने की सलाह दी गई है। साथ ही यह भी कहा है कि सरकार प्रदूषण नियंत्रण के लिए 'आपात कदम' उठाने के लिए भी तैयार रहें। कार्यान्वयन एजेंसियों को इस संबंध में की गई कार्रवाइयों की बारीकी से निगरानी करने और प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड्स तथा संबंधित समितियों को रोजाना रिपोर्ट देने के लिए भी कहा गया है। प्रदूषण नियंत्रण के लिए वाहनों का इस्‍तेमाल 30 फीसदी तक कम करने की CPCB की सलाह इसलिए भी महत्‍वपूर्ण है, क्‍योंकि सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एन्‍वायरमेंट (CSE) की एक रिपोर्ट में दिल्‍ली-एनसीआर में प्रदूषण का सबसे अहम कारक वाहनों को बताया गया है। इसके मुताबिक, दिल्‍ली के प्रदूषण में वाहनों से निकलने वाले प्रदूषण की भागीदारी सबसे अधिक लगभग 50 फीसदी है। ऐसे में सबसे बड़ा सवाल यही है कि क्‍या दिल्‍ली में प्रदूषण नियंत्रण के लिए एक बार फिर से ऑड-ईवन फॉर्मूला लागू होगा?

Breaking News! Now the pollution lockdown, Delhi’s air becomes very toxic; Advice given not to leave the house,check details

Delhi’s climate is deteriorating continuously after Diwali. A thick blanket of haze was seen in Delhi-NCR even today and the pollution level became extremely severe. Emergency-like situation is going to happen in Delhi due to air pollution. In view of the seriousness of pollution, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Friday advised people to avoid going out of their homes. The CPCB has directed government and private offices to reduce vehicular usage in the national capital by 30 per cent after Delhi’s air quality index continued to remain at critical levels. The air quality in Delhi has deteriorated. Today the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the capital is 499 in the severe category. The CPCB has said in the order that it was observed in the review meeting that due to low winds during the night till November 18, the meteorological conditions would be highly unfavorable for the dispersion of pollutants. “Government and private offices and other establishments are advised to reduce vehicle usage by at least 30 per cent (by working from home, car-pooling, limiting outdoor activities),” the CPCB said. The CPCB said the implementing agencies should closely monitor the actions taken at the appropriate level and submit daily reports to the pollution control boards and related committees, which would then submit the report to the Air Quality Management Commission (CAQM) and the CPCB. CPCB said, “The agencies concerned should be fully prepared for the implementation of measures under the emergency category as per GRAP (Hierarchical Response Action Plan). The 24-hour average air quality index in Delhi till 4 pm was recorded at 471, which is the worst ever AQI of the season, compared to 411 on Thursday. Condition of NCR City AQI Faridabad 460 Ghaziabad 486 Greater Noida 478 Gurugram 448 Noida 488 (status till 4 pm on Friday) 35 percent from straw According to the information, due to burning of stubble in more than four thousand fields, its contribution to Delhi’s pollution was 35 percent on Friday. According to the Central Pollution Control Committee, the 24-hour average of the amount of PM 2.5, a polluting particulate in Delhi-NCR, crossed the 300 mark in the night and its quantity was 381 micrograms per cubic meter at 4 pm on Friday. The amount of PM 2.5 was almost six times above the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The PM10 level was recorded at 577 micrograms per cubic metre. Fog may be longer According to CSE, this fog is a state of public health emergency. This position may be the longest in the last four years. Despite local conditions with relatively strong winds, the long period of fog this year could be attributed to the lack of pollution control measures in the city. According to a CSE report, the contribution of vehicles to Delhi’s pollution in the initial phase of winter this year from October 24 to November 8 has been 50 per cent.

Severe Air Pollution Tightens Grip Over Delhi, North India; AQI Index Falls To Severe Category

A thick layer of smog wrapped Delhi’s NCR on Friday, adding an orange tinge to the sun and minimising visibility to 200 metres across several regions staggering under perilous air pollution levels from early November. Severe air pollution levels have been recorded in Delhi on five of the last seven days after Diwali. Analysis report released by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) revealed that Delhi locals inhale the worst air from 1st to 15th of November every year. The Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded in the city on Thursday at 9 am was 454. The average AQI for the entire day was 411. The AQIs for Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurugram and Noida were 452, 490, 476, 418 and 434 respectively, which are placed in the severe category. Lung-damaging fine particles known as PM2.5 stood at a concentration of 346 micrograms per cubic metre at 9 am in Delhi’s NCR, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board. AQI levels ranging from 0 to 50 is regarded as “good”, 51-100 as “satisfactory”, 101-200 as “moderate”, 201-300 as “poor”, 301-400 as “very poor”, and 401-500 as “severe”. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) suggests that if the PM2.5 and PM10 levels persist at the above-mentioned levels for over 48 hours. IMD (Indian Meteorological Department) officials said that dips in temperature and fog combined with calm winds have been responsible for trapping pollutants close to the ground. The minimum temperature recorded in Delhi was 12.6 degrees celsius. Also Read, Delhi Government’s Take On The Poisonous Froth Over Yamuna Amid Chhath Very low visibility levels (300-500 metres) were reported at the Indira Gandhi International and Safdarjung Airport owing to moderate fog. High humid conditions aggravated the fog levels on Friday. Stubble burning has contributed to 25 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollutions levels for eight days in a row starting November 4th. An alternate report suggested that vehicles were responsible for over 50 per cent of Delhi’s pollution commencing from the early phase of this year’s winter (October 24th – November 8th). The CSE (Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment) said that the ongoing smog scenario is a public health emergency and is possibly the longest in 4 years. Gopal Rai, Delhi’s Environment Minister wrote to Bhupender Yadav (Union Environment Minister) urging an emergency meeting with all states of NCR to review the issue of stubble burning.

Stay at dwelling: Delhi-NCR air quality on brink of ‘emergency’ | Latest News Delhi

Authorities on Friday suggested folks to restrict out of doors actions and informed authorities and personal places of work to chop car use by at least 30 per cent as air quality in Delhi-NCR inched in the direction of the emergency degree amid an increase in emissions from farm fires and unfavourable meteorological circumstances. Over 4,000 farm fires, accounting for 35 per cent of Delhi’s air pollution on Friday, performed a serious position in pushing the 24-hour common Air Quality Index (AQI) to 471 by 4 pm, the worst this season to this point. It was 411 on Thursday. A sub-committee on Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) mentioned meteorological circumstances shall be extremely unfavourable for dispersion of pollution until November 18 and businesses involved have to be absolutely able to implement measures below ’emergency’ class. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) mentioned the 24-hour common focus of lung-damaging superb particles generally known as PM2.5 in Delhi-NCR crossed the 300 mark round midnight and stood at 381 micrograms per cubic metre at 4 pm on Friday, over six instances the protected restrict of 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The PM10 degree was recorded at 577 micrograms per cubic metre, over 5 instances the protected restrict of 100 micrograms per cubic metre. According to GRAP, the air quality is taken into account to be within the ’emergency’ class if the PM2.5 and PM10 ranges proceed to be above 300 micrograms per cubic metre and 500 micrograms per cubic metre respectively for 48 hours or extra. After reviewing the state of affairs, the sub-committee on GRAP mentioned, “Government and private offices and other establishments are advised to reduce vehicle usage by at least 30 per cent (by working from home, carpooling, optimising field activities etc). People are advised to limit outdoor activities and minimise their exposure.” “Concerned businesses have to be in full readiness for implementation of measures below ’emergency’ class as per GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan),” an order issued by the committee read. The GRAP — a set of anti-pollution measures followed in Delhi and its vicinity according to the severity of the situation – comes into force in mid-October when air quality levels start worsening. The measures to be followed in the ’emergency’ situation include stopping the entry of trucks in Delhi, ban on construction activities and introducing the odd-even car rationing scheme. CPCB Member Secretary Prashant Gargava observed that in view of unfavourable meteorology, stubble burning and poor dispersion resulting in accumulation of pollutants, the coming week is critical regarding Delhi-NCR’s air quality. The CPCB said an action-taken report is received daily from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana Pollution Control Boards but these are awaited from Delhi Pollution Control Committee and Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board. According to an analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, people in Delhi breathe the worst air between November 1 and November 15 every year. The city has recorded severe air quality on six of the last eight days after Diwali. Faridabad (460), Ghaziabad (486), Greater Noida (478), Gurgaon (448) and Noida (488) also recorded severe air quality at 4 pm on Friday. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “passable”, 101 and 200 “reasonable”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “extreme”. A layer of eye-stinging smog lingering over Delhi-NCR thickened on Friday, giving an orange tint to the sun and lowering visibility to 200 metres at several places in the region. India Meteorological Department officials said moderate fog and low temperatures in the morning — a low of 12.6 degrees Celsius on Friday — and calm winds have been trapping pollutants close to the ground. “Visibility ranges at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Safdarjung Airport dropped to 200-500 metres resulting from reasonable fog. It intensified on Friday resulting from excessive humidity,” an official said. Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has said the ongoing smog episode is a public health emergency and could be the longest in four years. In another report, it said vehicles accounted for more than 50 per cent of Delhi’s pollution from October 24 to November 8. According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air quality forecasting agency SAFAR, stubble burning has accounted for at least 25 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution for nine days on the trot, starting November 4. Gufran Beig, the founder project director of SAFAR, said stubble burning generally contributes to PM2.5 but this time its coarser particles in PM10 are also becoming a lead pollutant at several locations in Delhi. “This is a brand new characteristic within the winter. This is especially as a result of of the particle progress mechanism resulting from excessive humidity at evening and elevated humidity throughout the day most likely resulting from water sprinkling which will increase the holding capability of the air. Since the circulation is common, many PM2.5 particles are rising in the direction of PM10 (sic),” he mentioned. The share of farm hearth in Delhi’s air pollution had elevated to 48 per cent on Sunday, the best since November 5, 2018, when it was 58 per cent. Last 12 months, the share of stubble burning in Delhi’s air pollution had peaked at 42 per cent on November 5. In 2019, it accounted for 44 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 air pollution on November 1. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday launched the second leg of the marketing campaign to regulate mud air pollution. On Thursday, he had launched a month-long marketing campaign to forestall the open burning of waste and biomass within the metropolis.

On Brink of 'Emergency': Delhi-NCR Air Quality Index Season's Worst at 471

Delhi Residents Breathe Worst Air in November Every year, residents of the Delhi-NCR breathe the worst air between 1 and 15 November, as per an analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). Six of the last eight days after Diwali have recorded severe air quality. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe". The 24-hour average concentration of lung-damaging fine particles known as PM2.5 in Delhi-NCR crossed the 300 mark around midnight, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The 24-hour average concentration of PM2.5 increased to 381 micrograms per cubic metre at 4 pm on Friday. This is more than six times the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre. Meanwhile, the PM10 level was recorded at 577 micrograms per cubic metre. As per the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the air quality will be in the emergency category if the PM2.5 and PM10 levels remain above 300 micrograms per cubic metre and 500 micrograms per cubic metre respectively for 48 hours or more. Further, Dr VK Soni, a part of the sub-committee on GRAP, which convened for the seventh meeting on 12 November, informed that the meteorological conditions are highly unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants till 18 November due to low wind speed and calm conditions during the night. Moreover, Dr Soni, added that stubble contribution is likely to remain high due to north westerly winds and increased stubble burning. Meanwhile, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) had said on Wednesday, 10 November, that the current layer of smog is a public health emergency and could be the longest in four years. In another report by CSE, it was pointed out that vehicles accounted for more than 50 percent of Delhi's pollution during the early phase of this year's winter, from 24 October to 8 November, PTI reported. The share of farm fires in Delhi's pollution had increased to 48 percent on Sunday, 7 November, the highest since 5 November 2018, when it was recorded at 58 percent. Last year, the share of stubble burning in Delhi's pollution had peaked at 42 percent on 5 November.

Delhi Pollution in the worst..!

A thick haze of poisonous gauze swung over delhi, worsen by a shaft in the burning of crop waste in girding spreads according to the pollution control panel, It reduced the visibility and therefore the air Quality Index (AQI) hit 470 out of 500. Vehicular emigrations contribute the loftiest share to Delhi’s PM2.5 situations, in terms of original sources of pollution, according to the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

Air quality in Delhi-NCR on brink of ’emergency’, people advised to limit outdoor activities

Authorities on Friday advised people to limit outdoor activities and told government and private offices to cut vehicle use by at least 30 per cent as air quality in Delhi-NCR inched towards the ’emergency’ level amid a rise in emissions from farm fires and unfavourable meteorological conditions. Over 4,000 farm fires, accounting for 35 per cent of Delhi’s pollution on Friday, played a major role in pushing the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) to 471 by 4 pm, the worst this season so far. It was 411 on Thursday. A sub-committee on Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) said meteorological conditions will be highly unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants till November 18 and agencies concerned must be fully ready to implement measures under ’emergency’ category. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said the 24-hour average concentration of lung-damaging fine particles known as PM2.5 in Delhi-NCR crossed the 300 mark around midnight and stood at 381 micrograms per cubic metre at 4 pm on Friday, over six times the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The PM10 level was recorded at 577 micrograms per cubic metre, over five times the safe limit of 100 micrograms per cubic metre. According to GRAP, the air quality is considered to be in the ’emergency’ category if the PM2.5 and PM10 levels continue to be above 300 micrograms per cubic metre and 500 micrograms per cubic metre, respectively, for 48 hours or more. After reviewing the situation, the sub-committee on GRAP said, “Government and private offices and other establishments are advised to reduce vehicle usage by at least 30 per cent (by working from home, carpooling, optimising field activities etc). People are advised to limit outdoor activities and minimise their exposure.” “Concerned agencies must be in complete readiness for implementation of measures under ’emergency’ category as per GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan),” an order issued by the committee read. The GRAP—a set of anti-pollution measures followed in Delhi and its vicinity according to the severity of the situation ndash; comes into force in mid-October when air quality levels start worsening. The measures to be followed in the ’emergency’ situation include stopping the entry of trucks in Delhi, ban on construction activities and introducing the odd-even car rationing scheme. CPCB Member Secretary Prashant Gargava observed that in view of unfavourable meteorology, stubble burning and poor dispersion resulting in accumulation of pollutants, the coming week is critical regarding Delhi-NCR’s air quality. The CPCB said an action-taken report is received daily from Uttar Pradesh and Haryana Pollution Control Boards but these are awaited from Delhi Pollution Control Committee and Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board. According to an analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, people in Delhi breathe the worst air between November 1 and November 15 every year. The City has recorded severe air quality on six of the last eight days after Diwali. Faridabad (460), Ghaziabad (486), Greater Noida (478), Gurgaon (448) and Noida (488) also recorded severe air quality at 4 pm on Friday. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”. A layer of eye-stinging smog lingering over Delhi-NCR thickened on Friday, giving an orange tint to the sun and lowering visibility to 200 metres at several places in the region. India Meteorological Department officials said moderate fog and low temperatures in the morning—a low of 12.6 degrees Celsius on Friday—and calm winds have been trapping pollutants close to the ground. “Visibility levels at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Safdarjung Airport dropped to 200-500 metres due to moderate fog. It intensified on Friday due to high humidity,” an official said. Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has said the ongoing smog episode is a public health emergency and could be the longest in four years. In another report, it said vehicles accounted for more than 50 per cent of Delhi’s pollution from October 24 to November 8. According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air quality forecasting agency SAFAR, stubble burning has accounted for at least 25 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution for nine days on the trot, starting November 4. Gufran Beig, the founder project director of SAFAR, said stubble burning generally contributes to PM2.5 but this time its coarser particles in PM10 are also becoming a lead pollutant at several locations in Delhi. “This is a new feature in the winter. This is mainly because of the particle growth mechanism due to high humidity at night and increased humidity during the day probably due to water sprinkling which increases the holding capacity of the air. Since the flow is regular, many PM2.5 particles are growing towards PM10 (sic),” he said. The share of farm fire in Delhi’s pollution had increased to 48 per cent on Sunday, the highest since November 5, 2018, when it was 58 per cent. Last year, the share of stubble burning in Delhi’s pollution had peaked at 42 per cent on November 5. In 2019, it accounted for 44 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution on November 1. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday launched the second leg of the campaign to control dust pollution. On Thursday, he had launched a month-long campaign to prevent the open burning of waste and biomass in the city. PTI

Delhi-NCR gasp for air as smog envelops region; Ghaziabad, Noida among most polluted cities

New Delhi: The layer of eye-stinging smog lingering over Delhi-NCR thickened on Friday (November 12), giving an orange tint to the sun and lowering visibility to 200 metres at several places in the region reeling under hazardous pollution levels since early November. Delhi has recorded severe air quality on five of the last seven days after Diwali. According to an analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), people in the national capital breathe the worst air between November 1 and November 15 every year. The city recorded the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 454 at 9 am. The 24-hour average AQI was 411 on Thursday (November 11). Faridabad (452), Ghaziabad (490), Greater Noida (476), Gurugram (418) and Noida (434) also recorded severe air quality at 9 am. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the 24-hour average concentration of lung-damaging fine particles known as PM2.5 in Delhi-NCR stood at 346 micrograms per cubic metre at 9 am, around six times more than the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The PM10 level was recorded at 544 micrograms per cubic metre. According to the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the air quality is considered to be in the emergency category if the PM2.5 and PM10 levels continue to be above 300 micrograms per cubic metre and 500 micrograms per cubic metre respectively for 48 hours or more. Officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said moderate fog and low temperatures in the morning — Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 12.6 degrees Celsius on Friday — and calm winds have been trapping pollutants close to the ground. “Visibility levels at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Safdarjung Airport dropped to 300-500 metres due to moderate fog. It (fog) has intensified on Friday due to high humidity,” an official said. Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said the ongoing smog episode is a public health emergency and could be the longest in four years. The longer duration of this year’s smog, despite relatively windier local conditions, might be due to a lack of pollution control measures in the city, the CSE had said in a report. In another report, it said vehicles accounted for more than 50 per cent of Delhi’s pollution during the early phase of this year’s winter, from October 24 to November 8. According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air quality forecasting agency SAFAR, 3,914 farm fires accounted for 26 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution on Thursday. Stubble burning has accounted for at least 25 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution for eight days on the trot, starting November 4. The share of farm fires in Delhi’s pollution rose to 48 per cent on Sunday, the highest since November 5, 2018, when it was recorded at 58 per cent. Last year, the share of stubble burning in Delhi’s pollution had peaked at 42 per cent on November 5. In 2019, crop residue burning accounted for 44 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution on November 1. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai wrote another letter to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on Thursday, calling for an emergency meeting with all the NCR states to discuss the issue of stubble burning. Rai also launched a month-long campaign to prevent open burning of waste and biomass in the city in a bid to further cut down pollution from local sources. The second phase of the city government’s anti-dust campaign will get underway on Friday.

Visibility Falls to 200 Metres as Smog Tightens Grip on Delhi-NCR, Fog Adds to Woes

The layer of eye-stinging smog lingering over Delhi-NCR thickened on Friday, giving an orange tint to the sun and lowering visibility to 200 metres at several places in the region reeling under hazardous pollution levels since early November. Delhi has recorded severe air quality on five of the last seven days after Diwali. According to an analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), people in the national capital breathe the worst air between November 1 and November 15 every year. The city recorded the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 454 at 9 am. The 24-hour average AQI was 411 on Thursday.

Delhi pollution: Vehicles biggest contributor to poor air quality, reveals study

In the national capital Delhi, vehicles have emerged as the major reason for air pollution, according to a study by the think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The CSE study said that vehicles contributed to more than 50% of Delhi’s pollution between October 24 and November 8, this year. This is followed by household pollution (12.5%-13.5%). Industries contributed 9.9-13.7% of air pollution while construction activities accounted for 6.7-6.9% of pollution in the national capital. Last month, the Delhi government had launched Red Light On, Gaadi Off’ (red light on, ignition off) campaign to curb pollution in the capital. The Delhi government requested people to turn off their engines at the red light signal. Besides, the Delhi chief minister had also asked people not to use their personal vehicles at least one day every week to reduce vehicular pollution. During November 2-6, the contribution of pollution sources in NCR dominated the initial phase — going up to 70-80%, according to the study. Its share declined during the smog episode post-Diwali when the relative contribution of Delhi’s own sources increased. Similarly, the contribution of biomass burning from other states remained low in the initial pre-Diwali phase but peaked post-Diwali. Clearly, after the closure of all coal-based power plants, expansion of natural gas usage in industry, and controls on dirty fuels, vehicles have emerged as the biggest real-time contributor among the local sources of winter pollution in Delhi this year, Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE said.

Air Pollution LIVE Updates: With 541 AQI, Delhi Inching Closer to ‘Emergency’ Level; People Advised to Limit Outdoor Activities

Air Pollution LIVE Updates: The air quality in Delhi on Saturday morning recorded in the “severe” category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of PM10 at 541 and PM2.5 at 349, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air quality forecasting agency System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting Research (SAFAR). On Friday by 4 pm, the AQI in the national capital was 471 due to over 4,000 farm fires, which played in deteriorating the air quality levels. Authorities on Friday advised people to limit outdoor activities and told government and private offices to cut vehicle use by at least 30 per cent as air quality in Delhi-NCR inched towards the emergency level amid a rise in emissions from farm fires and unfavourable meteorological conditions. A sub-committee on Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) said meteorological conditions will be highly unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants till November 18 and agencies concerned must be fully ready to implement measures under ’emergency’ category. According to GRAP, the air quality is considered to be in the ’emergency’ category if the PM2.5 and PM10 levels continue to be above 300 micrograms per cubic metre and 500 micrograms per cubic metre respectively for 48 hours or more. After reviewing the situation, the sub-committee on GRAP said, “Government and private offices and other establishments are advised to reduce vehicle usage by at least 30 per cent (by working from home, carpooling, optimising field activities etc). People are advised to limit outdoor activities and minimise their exposure. Concerned agencies must be in complete readiness for implementation of measures under ’emergency’ category as per GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan).” The measures to be followed in the ’emergency’ situation include stopping the entry of trucks in Delhi, ban on construction activities and introducing the odd-even car rationing scheme. CPCB Member Secretary Prashant Gargava observed that in view of unfavourable meteorology, stubble burning and poor dispersion resulting in accumulation of pollutants, the coming week is critical regarding Delhi-NCR’s air quality. Here are the live updates of deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR and other regions of the country: • An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”. A layer of eye-stinging smog lingering over Delhi-NCR thickened on Friday, giving an orange tint to the sun and lowering visibility to 200 metres at several places in the region. • Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has said the ongoing smog episode is a public health emergency and could be the longest in four years. In another report, it said vehicles accounted for more than 50 per cent of Delhi’s pollution from October 24 to November 8. • According to the SAFAR, stubble burning has accounted for at least 25 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution for nine days on the trot, starting November 4. • Gufran Beig, the founder project director of SAFAR, said stubble burning generally contributes to PM2.5 but this time its coarser particles in PM10 are also becoming a lead pollutant at several locations in Delhi. “This is a new feature in the winter. This is mainly because of the particle growth mechanism due to high humidity at night and increased humidity during the day probably due to water sprinkling which increases the holding capacity of the air. Since the flow is regular, many PM2.5 particles are growing towards PM10 (sic),” he said. • Last year, the share of stubble burning in Delhi’s pollution had peaked at 42 per cent on November 5. In 2019, it accounted for 44 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution on November 1. • Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday launched the second leg of the campaign to control dust pollution. On Thursday, he had launched a month-long campaign to prevent the open burning of waste and biomass in the city.

Smog tightens grip on Delhi-NCR; AQI season’s

NEW DELHI: The layer of eye-stinging smog lingering over Delhi-NCR thickened on Friday, giving the solar an orange tint and decreasing visibility to 200 metres in a number of areas of the area which were stricken by hazardous air pollution ranges since early November. Over 4,000 farm fires, which accounted for 35 per cent of Delhi’s air pollution on Friday, performed a serious position in pushing the 24-hour common Air Quality Index (AQI) to 471 by 4 pm, the worst this season to this point. It was 411 on Thursday. Smog covers Delhi-NCR; air high quality extreme amid unhelpful meteorological circumstances An AQI between zero and 50 is taken into account “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the 24-hour common focus of lung-damaging effective particles often known as PM2.5 in Delhi-NCR crossed the 300 mark round midnight and stood at 381 micrograms per cubic metre at 4 pm (Friday), greater than six occasions the secure restrict of 60 micrograms per cubic metre. The PM10 stage was recorded at 577 micrograms per cubic metre. According to the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the air high quality is taken into account to be within the emergency class if the PM2.5 and PM10 ranges proceed to be above 300 micrograms per cubic metre and 500 micrograms per cubic metre respectively for 48 hours or extra. Officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated reasonable fog and low temperatures within the morning — Delhi recorded a minimal temperature of 12.6 levels Celsius on Friday — and calm winds have been trapping pollution near the bottom. “Visibility levels at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Safdarjung Airport dropped to 200-500 metres due to moderate fog. It (fog) has intensified on Friday due to high humidity,” an official stated. Green assume tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) had Wednesday stated the continuing smog episode is a public well being emergency and may very well be the longest in 4 years. The longer length of this yr’s smog, regardless of comparatively windier native circumstances, may be on account of an absence of air pollution management measures within the metropolis, the CSE had stated in a report. In one other report, it stated automobiles accounted for greater than 50 per cent of Delhi’s air pollution in the course of the early section of this yr’s winter, from October 24 to November 8. According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air high quality forecasting company SAFAR, stubble burning has accounted for not less than 25 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 air pollution for 9 days on the trot, beginning November 4. Gufran Beig, the founder mission director of SAFAR, stated stubble burning typically contributes in PM2.5 however this time its coarser particles in PM10 are additionally changing into a lead pollutant at a number of areas in Delhi. “This is a new feature in winter period. This is mainly because of particle growth mechanism due to high humidity at night and increased humidity during the day probably due to water sprinkling which also increases the holding capacity of the air. Since flow is regular many PM2.5 particles are growing towards PM10 (sic),” he said. The share of farm fires in Delhi’s pollution had increased to 48 per cent on Sunday, the highest since November 5, 2018, when it was recorded at 58 per cent. Last year, the share of stubble burning in Delhi’s pollution had peaked at 42 per cent on November 5. In 2019, crop residue burning accounted for 44 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution on November 1. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai Friday launched the second leg of a campaign to control dust pollution. On Thursday, he had launched a month-long campaign to prevent open burning of waste and biomass in the city in a bid to further cut down pollution from local sources.

Air Pollution LIVE Updates: With 541 AQI, Delhi Inching Closer to ‘Emergency’ Level; People Advised to Limit Outdoor Activities

Air Pollution LIVE Updates: The air quality in Delhi on Saturday morning recorded in the “severe” category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of PM10 at 541 and PM2.5 at 349, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air quality forecasting agency System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting Research (SAFAR). On Friday by 4 pm, the AQI in the national capital was 471 due to over 4,000 farm fires, which played in deteriorating the air quality levels. Authorities on Friday advised people to limit outdoor activities and told government and private offices to cut vehicle use by at least 30 per cent as air quality in Delhi-NCR inched towards the emergency level amid a rise in emissions from farm fires and unfavourable meteorological conditions. A sub-committee on Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) said meteorological conditions will be highly unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants till November 18 and agencies concerned must be fully ready to implement measures under ’emergency’ category. According to GRAP, the air quality is considered to be in the ’emergency’ category if the PM2.5 and PM10 levels continue to be above 300 micrograms per cubic metre and 500 micrograms per cubic metre respectively for 48 hours or more. After reviewing the situation, the sub-committee on GRAP said, “Government and private offices and other establishments are advised to reduce vehicle usage by at least 30 per cent (by working from home, carpooling, optimising field activities etc). People are advised to limit outdoor activities and minimise their exposure. Concerned agencies must be in complete readiness for implementation of measures under ’emergency’ category as per GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan).” The measures to be followed in the ’emergency’ situation include stopping the entry of trucks in Delhi, ban on construction activities and introducing the odd-even car rationing scheme. CPCB Member Secretary Prashant Gargava observed that in view of unfavourable meteorology, stubble burning and poor dispersion resulting in accumulation of pollutants, the coming week is critical regarding Delhi-NCR’s air quality. Here are the live updates on deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR and other regions of the country: • An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”. A layer of eye-stinging smog lingering over Delhi-NCR thickened on Friday, giving an orange tint to the sun and lowering visibility to 200 metres at several places in the region. • Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has said the ongoing smog episode is a public health emergency and could be the longest in four years. In another report, it said vehicles accounted for more than 50 per cent of Delhi’s pollution from October 24 to November 8. • According to the SAFAR, stubble burning has accounted for at least 25 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution for nine days on the trot, starting November 4. • Gufran Beig, the founder project director of SAFAR, said stubble burning generally contributes to PM2.5 but this time its coarser particles in PM10 are also becoming a lead pollutant at several locations in Delhi. “This is a new feature in the winter. This is mainly because of the particle growth mechanism due to high humidity at night and increased humidity during the day probably due to water sprinkling which increases the holding capacity of the air. Since the flow is regular, many PM2.5 particles are growing towards PM10 (sic),” he said. • Last year, the share of stubble burning in Delhi’s pollution had peaked at 42 per cent on November 5. In 2019, it accounted for 44 per cent of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution on November 1. • Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Friday launched the second leg of the campaign to control dust pollution. On Thursday, he had launched a month-long campaign to prevent the open burning of waste and biomass in the city.

Smog tightens grip on Delhi-NCR, air quality index’s worst season at 471

The layer of dazzling smog hovering over Delhi-NCR thickened Friday, giving the sun an orange hue and reducing visibility to 200 meters in several places in the region that has been teetering under dangerous pollution levels since early November. More than 4,000 farm fires, which accounted for 35 percent of Delhi’s pollution on Friday, played a major role in pushing the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) to 471 before 4 p.m., its worst this season so far . Thursday it was 411. The city has recorded severe air quality in six of the last eight days after Diwali. According to an analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), people in the capital breathe the worst air between November 1 and November 15 each year. Faridabad (460), Ghaziabad (486), Greater Noida (478), Gurugram (448) and Noida (488) also recorded severe air quality at 4 p.m. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 as “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 as “moderate”, 201 and 300 as “poor”, 301 and 400 as “very bad”, and 401 and 500 as “seriously”. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the 24-hour average concentration of lung-damaging fine particles known as PM2.5 in Delhi-NCR crossed the 300 mark at midnight and reached 381 micrograms per cubic meter at 4 p.m. (Friday), well over six times the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic meter. The PM10 content was measured at 577 micrograms per cubic meter. According to the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), air quality falls into the emergency category if PM2.5 and PM10 levels remain above 300 micrograms per cubic meter and 500 micrograms per cubic meter, respectively, for 48 hours. more. India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said moderate fog and low morning temperatures – Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 12.6 degrees Celsius on Friday – and calm winds have trapped pollutants close to the ground. “Visibility at Indira Gandhi International Airport and Safdarjung Airport dropped to 200-500 meters due to moderate fog. It (fog) intensified on Friday due to high humidity,” an official said. Green think tank Center for Science and Environment (CSE) had said on Wednesday that the ongoing smog episode is a public health emergency and could be the longest in four years. The longer duration of the smog this year, despite relatively windy local conditions, could be due to a lack of pollution control measures in the city, the CSE had said in a report. Another report said vehicles were responsible for more than 50 percent of the pollution in Delhi during the early phase of this year’s winter, from October 24 to November 8. According to the Air Quality Forecast Office of the Ministry of Earth Sciences SAFAR, stubble burning is responsible for at least 25 percent of PM2.5 pollution in Delhi for nine days at the trot, starting Nov. 4. Gufran Beig, the founder of SAFAR’s project director, said stubble burning generally contributes to PM2.5, but this time the coarser particles in PM10 also become a lead pollutant in several sites in Delhi. “This is a new feature in the winter period. This is mainly due to the particle growth mechanism due to high humidity at night and increased humidity during the day, probably due to water sprinkling, which also increases the air’s holding capacity. the flow is regular, PM2.5 particles grow to PM10 (sic),” he said. The share of farm fires in Delhi’s pollution had risen to 48 percent on Sunday, the highest since Nov. 5, 2018, when it was recorded at 58 percent. Last year, the share of stubble burning in Delhi’s pollution peaked at 42 percent on Nov. 5. In 2019, crop residue incineration accounted for 44 percent of PM2.5 pollution in Delhi on Nov. 1. Delhi’s environment minister, Gopal Rai, launched the second leg of a campaign to tackle dust pollution on Friday. On Thursday, he had launched a month-long campaign to prevent open incineration of waste and biomass in the city in an effort to further reduce pollution from local sources.