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Compared to the first smog episode of previous 4 years, the current smog episode has matched the duration of first smog of 2018 and 2020 season, Centre for Science & Environment said The first severe smog episode has hit Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) and is expected to last for another two days, green think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said on Wednesday. Even though the seasonal smog in Delhi is intense, the average daily contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 has been the lowest in last four years, it said. Predictably, the season's first episode has been triggered by the combined effect of unfavourable weather conditions (cool and calm winds and inversion), stubble burning and firecrackers, said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. Compared to the first smog episode of previous four years, the current smog has matched the duration of the first smog of 2018 and 2020 season -- both lasted six days. If conditions don't improve, it might overtake the 2019 smog that lasted eight days, the CSE said. The average intensity of the smog this year so far is 329 microgram per cubic metre per day, which is lower than that of the 2020 smog (by 7 per cent) and 2019 smog (by 3 per cent). It is more intense than the 2018 smog (about 9 per cent). Lingering on of this year's smog for longer duration despite relatively windier local conditions might be due to the lack of pollution control measures in the city, the green think tank said. While very high concentrations of PM2.5 have hogged attention, the levels of gases ozone, CO or NO2 -- have remained elevated during this smog episode. Also, the ratio of SO2 to NO2 increased on Diwali night indicating increased pollution load from firecrackers. The PM2.5 concentration on Diwali night (8 pm to 8 am) has been the most intense since 2017," said Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager, Urban Lab, CSE. This analysis is based on the real time data available from the current working air quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR and the larger Indo-Gangetic Plain. On an average, contribution of smoke to Delhi's daily PM2.5 during middle of October to November 8 has been the lowest in the last four years. So far, it has recorded on an average 12 per cent per day in contrast to 17 per cent per day in 2020, 14 per cent per day in 2019, and 16 per cent per day in 2018 (as reported by SAFAR), the CSE said. If converted to absolute concentrations, the per day contribution of smoke stood at 26 microgram per cubic metre this year so far compared to 35 microgram per cubic metre in 2020, 40 microgram per cubic metre in 2019, and 31 microgram per cubic metre in 2018, it said. However, the peak contribution of smoke to Delhi's PM level was recorded on 7th November when it hit 48 per cent. This the second highest daily contribution percentage recorded since such estimation was started by SAFAR in 2018. The highest single day contribution percentage has been 58 per cent recorded on November 5, 2018. The ongoing smog episode is a public health emergency. This requires urgent emergency action on key combustion sources (vehicles, industry, waste burning) and dust sources (construction and roads) to prevent further trapping of pollution when there is no wind to blow this away. We need pollution-source-wise and hotspot-wise status of action, Roychowdhury said.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

The road to tackling pollution is tough but not inaccessible

Only harmonised year-long, inter-state action plans will help us get some fresh air A comprehensive and harmonised year-long, inter-state action plan that takes into account small and big factors that trigger pollution in the northern plains is needed to help improve air quality in the National Capital Region, experts say. Localised measures will not help if other states do not take proper steps in tandem to address similar problems on their side, the experts explained. Every winter, New Delhi and its neighbouring areas face an air pollution emergency. There are many triggers – firecrackers, stubble burning by farmers, vehicular pollution, the burning of biomass, waste and solid fuel, industrial emissions and dust from construction sites, roads and degraded land. While many of these factors exist even in summer, unfavourable weather conditions in winter make matters worse. Falling temperatures and moisture in the air trap pollutants and slow wind speeds make their dispersal difficult. The result: a toxic haze of ultra-fine and extremely hazardous particulate matter that engulfs the region for two-three months. Every October, the hue and cry starts over pollution – widespread media coverage, a political and inter-state blame game over farm fires, bursting of firecrackers despite a ban, a wave of pollution and, finally, waiting for the weather gods to rescue us. After the farm fires die down by November-end, the issue gets diluted. Around February-March, when the sky gets clearer, everything is often forgotten till the next pollution season. Policies have been announced off and on by the Centre and many steps have been taken by the state governments concerned, including Delhi, which is at the centre of all the action. The 22-year-old Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution (Prevention & Control) Authority (EPCA) was dissolved to form the statutory Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), which now oversees and implements decisions related to pollution in the NCR and adjoining areas. A graded response action plan (GRAP) is in place to take emergency measures depending on how the air quality deteriorates. The steps include a ban on diesel generators in the NCR, an alternate-day road rationing policy for cars, a ban on construction, closure of brick kilns, stone crushers and hot-mix plants, and sprinkling of water, depending on the level of air pollution. Still, nothing seems to be effective and we are back to square one every year. Stronger action So, where are we going wrong? Is there a lack of seriousness in enforcing the measures? Is there a need to have a fresh look at the solutions? Is there a way out of the mess? Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, at the Centre for Science and Environment, said there is a long way to go. At present, most of the action takes place during winters, when pollution peaks, and what is needed is deeper action around the year to reduce pollution across sectors. “A cleaner winter and sustained air quality gains require round-the-year multi-sectoral action to fix the gaps in infrastructure and systems. Trapping of pollutants due to adverse atmospheric conditions during winter can be controlled only if the overall pollution level is reduced. Emergency action during winter can only help to shave off the peak pollution by not adding more (to the mess) when the pollutants are already trapped with no wind to blow it away,” she said. According to Roy Chowdhury, it would be unfair to say that nothing is working. She said the Delhi government has taken more steps than other cities in the region to stabilise and bend the pollution curve, but more aggressive action is needed to reduce particulate pollution by about 58 percent in order to meet clean air standards. Among other big steps, Delhi has shifted big polluting industries out of the city, shut down coal-based power plants, banned the use of dirty fuels in all sectors, phased out most old vehicles, moved public transport and local commercial transport to natural gas, and restricted the entry of polluting trucks. “A lot more is needed to scale up an integrated public transport system to restrain the use of personal vehicles, strengthen municipal infrastructure for source segregation and recycling of waste, eliminate dirty fuels from all industrial units and households in the city, and design streets and green-walling to control dust,” she said. Electrification of cabs, delivery fleets and mass public transport such as buses will go a long way in reducing the use of fossil fuels, Chowdhury explained. “It needs to meet its EV target to push the transition to cleaner energy,” she said. Delhi wants 25 percent of total vehicle registrations to be electric vehicles by 2024. States together Experts also lay emphasis on a regional action plan covering Delhi, adjoining NCR cities and the entire northern Indo-Gangetic plain that bear the brunt of pollution and are a source of pollutants as well. Central Pollution Control Board data released this week showed that cities such as Agra and West UP districts such as Baghpat, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad and Meerut recorded ‘severe’ air quality. Uttar Pradesh also contributes to stubble burning, although Punjab usually tops the chart, followed by Haryana. Stubble burning every winter pushes up the pollution index. Incentives to farmers and the threat of penal action haven’t been able to assuage the situation. Delhi’s pollution cannot be dealt with in isolation as the polluting sources from nearby have to be taken into account and controlled to find an overall effective solution, said Chandra Bhushan, CEO of the International Forum for Environment, Sustainability and Technology. “Delhi is a fraction of the larger NCR region. So you cannot have a polluting NCR region and a clean Delhi,” Bhushan said. He stressed the need for larger action on the ground rather than token measures such as sprinkling of water and setting up of smog towers. Lack of coordination between multiple agencies and political differences between state governments have hindered the implementation and enforcement of anti-pollution measures as there was no overarching authority to oversee all the action on the ground. These factors were kept in mind while forming the CAQM with the aim of bringing all monitoring bodies on one platform so that air quality management is done efficiently and in a time-bound manner. The Centre also felt that the EPCA, which did not have penal provisions, had become ineffective. Roy Chowdhury agreed on the need for a unified plan. While Delhi’s own action has to be more stringent across sectors, action will have to be scaled up across the NCR and beyond to minimise regional influences on air quality, she said. “We need to urgently harmonise stringent multi-sector action across the region including rural sources. India will have to adopt a regional framework for air quality management to make different state governments accountable for meeting clean air targets within the airshed,” Roy Chowdhury said. Health hazard This year, an extended rainy season and high winds ensured a clean October in the NCR compared to previous years. A delayed harvest pushed back stubble burning, which delayed the onset of the pollution season. However, the scene changed in November, when farm fires rose. The bursting of firecrackers on Diwali (November 4) did not help and the air quality index (AQI) breached the severe zone in Delhi and adjoining cities. An AQI of 51-100 is considered satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor, and anything above 401 severe. The ultra-fine inhalable PM 2.5 pollutants in the air are capable of infiltrating the bloodstream through the respiratory system and can cause asthma and other respiratory problems, lung cancer, heart disease and other fatal ailments. A recent survey by LocalCircles, a community social media platform, showed that four in five families in the region have someone facing one or more ailments due to contaminated air. The survey showed that 91 percent of Delhiites believe the authorities were completely or partially ineffective in enforcing the ban on transportation, distribution and sale of crackers this Diwali. The survey received over 34,000 responses from residents of Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad. Biomass, solid fuel and dust Bhushan said the diagnosis of the problem itself is not correct. He said there is too much focus on automobiles while the graver problems of biomass and waste burning as well as land degradation get ignored. At a pan-India level, Bhushan explained, at least 85 percent of the air pollution is triggered by the burning of coal, biomass and garbage, and less than 15 percent by petroleum products. In 2019, 1,830 million tonnes of fossil fuels and biomass were burnt across the country to meet energy needs. Plus, 100 million tonnes of farm waste and 15 million tonnes of garbage were burnt, which triggered smoke pollution, he explained. “The use of wood, coal, and biomass to meet our energy needs… needs to be addressed on an urgent basis. Tackling vehicular pollution alone will not help. Addressing all this requires political will and time. There is no shortcut to tackle this burning issue,” he said. He pointed to another pollution generator: dust from open construction sites, roadsides and degraded land and desertification. Roy Chowdhury agreed that the regional view has to take into account all sources of pollution. “We need a clean energy transition in households in NCR and switch to electricity, LPG, etc, in place of firewood stoves,” she said. Controlling dust pollution, Roy Chowdhury agreed, is a challenge. “We need a policy of soil stabilisation, to prevent denudation and to protect the Aravallis, which play a key role in checking the movement of sand and dust from the Thar desert to NCR, Haryana and western UP,” she said.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

City sees lowest temp of season; air quality 'very poor', likely to worsen in next 2 days

Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 13.4 degrees Celsius, the lowest this season so far, on Wednesday and it is likely to dip to 11 degrees Celsius in a week, according to the India Meteorological Department. The maximum temperature settled at 29.6 degrees Celsius. Strong winds lowered pollution levels marginally and the 24-hourly average air quality index stood at 372 at 4 pm. Stubble burning accounted for 27 per cent of the air pollution in the Capital. The Ministry of Earth Sciences' forecast agency SAFAR forecast that the air quality will deteriorate over the next two days and improve on November 13. Calm local surface winds may lead to stagnant conditions that weakens dispersion of pollutants, it said. Also Read - Devotees throng Yamuna defying DDMA ban, BJP MPs egg them on The air quality had slipped into the severe category on Tuesday and the 24-hourly average AQI stood at 404 at 4 pm. The share of farm fires in Delhi's pollution rose to a three-year high of 48 per cent on Sunday. Mahesh Palawat, Vice President (Meteorology and Climate Change), Skymet Weather said the share of stubble burning in Delhi-NCR's air pollution is expected to remain high for another week. "No major improvement in air quality is likely in the next four to five days," he said. The first severe smog episode has hit Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) and is expected to last for another two days, green think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said on Wednesday. Even though the seasonal smog in Delhi is intense, the average daily contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 has been the lowest in last four years, it said.

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Delhi in grip of season's first smog episode, likely to be longest in 4 yrs: CSE ...... Read more at: https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/delhi-in-grip-of-season-s-first-smog-episode-likely-to-be-longest-in-4-yrs-cse-india-1.6165841

The first severe smog episode has hit Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) and is expected to last for another two days, green think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said on Wednesday....... Read more at: https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/india/delhi-in-grip-of-season-s-first-smog-episode-likely-to-be-longest-in-4-yrs-cse-india-1.6165841

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

First Severe Smog Episode Hits Delhi, Could Be Longest In 4 Years: Report

The average intensity of the smog in Delhi so far is 329 microgram per cubic metre per day. New Delhi: The first severe smog episode has hit Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) and is expected to last for another two days, green think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said today. Even though the seasonal smog in Delhi is intense, the average daily contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 has been the lowest in last four years, it said. “Predictably, the season’s first episode has been triggered by the combined effect of unfavourable weather conditions (cool and calm winds and inversion), stubble burning and firecrackers,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. Compared to the first smog episode of previous four years, the current smog has matched the duration of the first smog of 2018 and 2020 season — both lasted six days. If conditions don’t improve, it might overtake the 2019 smog that lasted eight days, the CSE said. The average intensity of the smog this year so far is 329 microgram per cubic metre per day, which is lower than that of the 2020 smog (by 7 per cent) and 2019 smog (by 3 per cent). It is more intense than the 2018 smog (about 9 per cent). Lingering on of this year’s smog for longer duration despite relatively windier local conditions might be due to the lack of pollution control measures in the city, the green think tank said. “While very high concentrations of PM2.5 have hogged attention, the levels of gases – ozone, CO or NO2 — have remained elevated during this smog episode. Also, the ratio of SO2 to NO2 increased on Diwali night indicating increased pollution load from firecrackers. The PM2.5 concentration on Diwali night (8 pm to 8 am) has been the most intense since 2017,” said Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager, Urban Lab, CSE. This analysis is based on the real time data available from the current working air quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR and the larger Indo-Gangetic Plain. “On an average, contribution of smoke to Delhi’s daily PM2.5 during middle of October to November 8 has been the lowest in the last four years. So far, it has recorded on an average 12 per cent per day in contrast to 17 per cent per day in 2020, 14 per cent per day in 2019, and 16 per cent per day in 2018 (as reported by SAFAR),” the CSE said. “If converted to absolute concentrations, the per day contribution of smoke stood at 26 microgram per cubic metre this year so far compared to 35 microgram per cubic metre in 2020, 40 microgram per cubic metre in 2019, and 31 microgram per cubic metre in 2018,” it said. However, the peak contribution of smoke to Delhi’s PM level was recorded on 7th November when it hit 48 per cent. This the second highest daily contribution percentage recorded since such estimation was started by SAFAR in 2018. The highest single day contribution percentage has been 58 per cent recorded on November 5, 2018.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi in grip of season's first severe smog episode, likely to be longest in 4 years: CSE

New Delhi: The first severe smog episode has hit Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) and is expected to last for another two days, green think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said on Wednesday. Even though the seasonal smog in Delhi is intense, the average daily contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 has been the lowest in last four years, it said. "Predictably, the season's first episode has been triggered by the combined effect of unfavourable weather conditions (cool and calm winds and inversion), stubble burning and firecrackers," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. Compared to the first smog episode of previous four years, the current smog has matched the duration of the first smog of 2018 and 2020 season -- both lasted six days. If conditions don't improve, it might overtake the 2019 smog that lasted eight days, the CSE said. The average intensity of the smog this year so far is 329 microgram per cubic metre per day, which is lower than that of the 2020 smog (by 7 per cent) and 2019 smog (by 3 per cent). It is more intense than the 2018 smog (about 9 per cent). Lingering on of this year's smog for longer duration despite relatively windier local conditions might be due to the lack of pollution control measures in the city, the green think tank said. "While very high concentrations of PM2.5 have hogged attention, the levels of gases - ozone, CO or NO2 -- have remained elevated during this smog episode. Also, the ratio of SO2 to NO2 increased on Diwali night indicating increased pollution load from firecrackers. The PM2.5 concentration on Diwali night (8 pm to 8 am) has been the most intense since 2017," said Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager, Urban Lab, CSE. This analysis is based on the real time data available from the current working air quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR and the larger Indo-Gangetic Plain. "On an average, contribution of smoke to Delhi's daily PM2.5 during middle of October to November 8 has been the lowest in the last four years. So far, it has recorded on an average 12 per cent per day in contrast to 17 per cent per day in 2020, 14 per cent per day in 2019, and 16 per cent per day in 2018 (as reported by SAFAR)," the CSE said. "If converted to absolute concentrations, the per day contribution of smoke stood at 26 microgram per cubic metre this year so far compared to 35 microgram per cubic metre in 2020, 40 microgram per cubic metre in 2019, and 31 microgram per cubic metre in 2018," it said. However, the peak contribution of smoke to Delhi's PM level was recorded on 7th November when it hit 48 per cent. This the second highest daily contribution percentage recorded since such estimation was started by SAFAR in 2018. The highest single day contribution percentage has been 58 per cent recorded on November 5, 2018. "The ongoing smog episode is a public health emergency. This requires urgent emergency action on key combustion sources (vehicles, industry, waste burning) and dust sources (construction and roads) to prevent further trapping of pollution when there is no wind to blow this away. We need pollution-source-wise and hotspot-wise status of action," Roychowdhury

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

First Severe Smog Episode Hits Delhi, Could Be Longest In 4 Years: Report

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

First Severe Smog Episode Hits Delhi, Could Be Longest In 4 Years: Report

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi in grip of season's first smog episode, likely to be longest in 4 yrs: CSE Science & Environment

The first severe smog episode has hit Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) and is expected to last for another two days, green think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said on Wednesday. Even though the seasonal smog in Delhi is intense, the average daily contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 has been the lowest in last four years, it said. "Predictably, the season's first episode has been triggered by the combined effect of unfavourable weather conditions (cool and calm winds and inversion), stubble burning and firecrackers," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. Compared to the first smog episode of previous four years, the current smog has matched the duration of the first smog of 2018 and 2020 season -- both lasted six days. If conditions don't improve, it might overtake the 2019 smog that lasted eight days, the CSE said. The average intensity of the smog this year so far is 329 microgram per cubic metre per day, which is lower than that of the 2020 smog (by 7 per cent) and 2019 smog (by 3 per cent). It is more intense than the 2018 smog (about 9 per cent). Lingering on of this year's smog for longer duration despite relatively windier local conditions might be due to the lack of pollution control measures in the city, the green think tank said. "While very high concentrations of PM2.5 have hogged attention, the levels of gases – ozone, CO or NO2 -- have remained elevated during this smog episode. Also, the ratio of SO2 to NO2 increased on Diwali night indicating increased pollution load from firecrackers. The PM2.5 concentration on Diwali night (8 pm to 8 am) has been the most intense since 2017,'' said Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager, Urban Lab, CSE. This analysis is based on the real time data available from the current working air quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR and the larger Indo-Gangetic Plain. "On an average, contribution of smoke to Delhi's daily PM2.5 during middle of October to November 8 has been the lowest in the last four years. So far, it has recorded on an average 12 per cent per day in contrast to 17 per cent per day in 2020, 14 per cent per day in 2019, and 16 per cent per day in 2018 (as reported by SAFAR)," the CSE said. "If converted to absolute concentrations, the per day contribution of smoke stood at 26 microgram per cubic metre this year so far compared to 35 microgram per cubic metre in 2020, 40 microgram per cubic metre in 2019, and 31 microgram per cubic metre in 2018," it said. However, the peak contribution of smoke to Delhi's PM level was recorded on 7th November when it hit 48 per cent. This the second highest daily contribution percentage recorded since such estimation was started by SAFAR in 2018. The highest single day contribution percentage has been 58 per cent recorded on November 5, 2018. "The ongoing smog episode is a public health emergency. This requires urgent emergency action on key combustion sources (vehicles, industry, waste burning) and dust sources (construction and roads) to prevent further trapping of pollution when there is no wind to blow this away. We need pollution-source-wise and hotspot-wise status of action," Roychowdhury said. PTI GVS RHL

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi In Grip Of Season’s First Smog Episode, Likely To Be Longest In 4 Years: Report

Even though the seasonal smog in Delhi is intense, the average daily contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 has been the lowest in last four years, it said. New Delhi: The first severe smog episode has hit Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) and is expected to last for another two days, green think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said on Wednesday. Even though the seasonal smog in Delhi is intense, the average daily contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 has been the lowest in last four years, it said. “Predictably, the season’s first episode has been triggered by the combined effect of unfavourable weather conditions (cool and calm winds and inversion), stubble burning and firecrackers,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. Compared to the first smog episode of previous four years, the current smog has matched the duration of the first smog of 2018 and 2020 season — both lasted six days. If conditions don’t improve, it might overtake the 2019 smog that lasted eight days, the CSE said. The average intensity of the smog this year so far is 329 microgram per cubic metre per day, which is lower than that of the 2020 smog (by 7 per cent) and 2019 smog (by 3 per cent). It is more intense than the 2018 smog (about 9 per cent). ALSO READ | Chhath In The Times Of Covid-19: Swimming Pools And Inflatable Tubs Is The New Way To Offer Puja Lingering on of this year’s smog for longer duration despite relatively windier local conditions might be due to the lack of pollution control measures in the city, the green think tank said. “While very high concentrations of PM2.5 have hogged attention, the levels of gases – ozone, CO or NO2 — have remained elevated during this smog episode. Also, the ratio of SO2 to NO2 increased on Diwali night indicating increased pollution load from firecrackers. The PM2.5 concentration on Diwali night (8 pm to 8 am) has been the most intense since 2017,” said Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager, Urban Lab, CSE. This analysis is based on the real time data available from the current working air quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR and the larger Indo-Gangetic Plain. “On an average, contribution of smoke to Delhi’s daily PM2.5 during middle of October to November 8 has been the lowest in the last four years. So far, it has recorded on an average 12 per cent per day in contrast to 17 per cent per day in 2020, 14 per cent per day in 2019, and 16 per cent per day in 2018 (as reported by SAFAR),” the CSE said. Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading. “If converted to absolute concentrations, the per day contribution of smoke stood at 26 microgram per cubic metre this year so far compared to 35 microgram per cubic metre in 2020, 40 microgram per cubic metre in 2019, and 31 microgram per cubic metre in 2018,” it said. However, the peak contribution of smoke to Delhi’s PM level was recorded on 7th November when it hit 48 per cent. This the second highest daily contribution percentage recorded since such estimation was started by SAFAR in 2018. The highest single day contribution percentage has been 58 per cent recorded on November 5, 2018. “The ongoing smog episode is a public health emergency. This requires urgent emergency action on key combustion sources (vehicles, industry, waste burning) and dust sources (construction and roads) to prevent further trapping of pollution when there is no wind to blow this away. We need pollution-source-wise and hotspot-wise status of action,” Roychowdhury said.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

First Extreme Smog Episode Hits Delhi, May Be Longest In 4 Years: Report

The typical depth of the smog in Delhi to date is 329 microgram per cubic metre per day. The primary extreme smog episode has hit Delhi and the Nationwide Capital Area (NCR) and is anticipated to final for an additional two days, inexperienced think-tank Centre for Science and Setting (CSE) mentioned in the present day. Despite the fact that the seasonal smog in Delhi is intense, the typical each day contribution of smoke from farm fires from the center of October to November 8 has been the bottom in final 4 years, it mentioned. “Predictably, the season’s first episode has been triggered by the mixed impact of unfavourable climate circumstances (cool and calm winds and inversion), stubble burning and firecrackers,” mentioned Anumita Roychowdhury, government director, analysis and advocacy, CSE. In comparison with the primary smog episode of earlier 4 years, the present smog has matched the length of the primary smog of 2018 and 2020 season — each lasted six days. If circumstances do not enhance, it’d overtake the 2019 smog that lasted eight days, the CSE mentioned. The typical depth of the smog this yr to date is 329 microgram per cubic metre per day, which is decrease than that of the 2020 smog (by 7 per cent) and 2019 smog (by 3 per cent). It’s extra intense than the 2018 smog (about 9 per cent). Lingering on of this yr’s smog for longer length regardless of comparatively windier native circumstances may be because of the lack of air pollution management measures within the metropolis, the inexperienced suppose tank mentioned. “Whereas very excessive concentrations of PM2.5 have hogged consideration, the degrees of gases – ozone, CO or NO2 — have remained elevated throughout this smog episode. Additionally, the ratio of SO2 to NO2 elevated on Diwali night time indicating elevated air pollution load from firecrackers. The PM2.5 focus on Diwali night time (8 pm to eight am) has been probably the most intense since 2017,” mentioned Avikal Somvanshi, programme supervisor, City Lab, CSE. This evaluation is predicated on the true time knowledge obtainable from the present working air high quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR and the bigger Indo-Gangetic Plain. “On a mean, contribution of smoke to Delhi’s each day PM2.5 throughout center of October to November 8 has been the bottom within the final 4 years. Thus far, it has recorded on a mean 12 per cent per day in distinction to 17 per cent per day in 2020, 14 per cent per day in 2019, and 16 per cent per day in 2018 (as reported by SAFAR),” the CSE mentioned. “If transformed to absolute concentrations, the per day contribution of smoke stood at 26 microgram per cubic metre this yr to date in comparison with 35 microgram per cubic metre in 2020, 40 microgram per cubic metre in 2019, and 31 microgram per cubic metre in 2018,” it mentioned. Nonetheless, the height contribution of smoke to Delhi’s PM degree was recorded on seventh November when it hit 48 per cent. This the second highest each day contribution share recorded since such estimation was began by SAFAR in 2018. The very best single day contribution share has been 58 per cent recorded on November 5, 2018.

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Centre For Science And Environment

The primary extreme smog episode has hit Delhi and the Nationwide Capital Area (NCR) and is predicted to final for an additional two days, inexperienced think-tank Centre for Science and Surroundings (CSE) stated right this moment. Regardless that the seasonal smog in Delhi is intense, the common every day contribution of smoke from farm fires from the center of October to November eight has been the bottom in final 4 years, it stated. “Predictably, the season’s first episode has been triggered by the mixed impact of unfavourable climate situations (cool and calm winds and inversion), stubble burning and firecrackers,” stated Anumita Roychowdhury, government director, analysis and advocacy, CSE. In comparison with the primary smog episode of earlier 4 years, the present smog has matched the period of the primary smog of 2018 and 2020 season — each lasted six days. If situations do not enhance, it would overtake the 2019 smog that lasted eight days, the CSE stated. The common depth of the smog this 12 months to this point is 329 microgram per cubic metre per day, which is decrease than that of the 2020 smog (by 7 per cent) and 2019 smog (by three per cent). It’s extra intense than the 2018 smog (about 9 per cent). Lingering on of this 12 months’s smog for longer period regardless of comparatively windier native situations may be because of the lack of air pollution management measures within the metropolis, the inexperienced assume tank stated. “Whereas very excessive concentrations of PM2.5 have hogged consideration, the degrees of gases – ozone, CO or NO2 — have remained elevated throughout this smog episode. Additionally, the ratio of SO2 to NO2 elevated on Diwali evening indicating elevated air pollution load from firecrackers. The PM2.5 focus on Diwali evening (eight pm to eight am) has been probably the most intense since 2017,” stated Avikal Somvanshi, programme supervisor, City Lab, CSE. This evaluation is predicated on the actual time knowledge out there from the present working air high quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR and the bigger Indo-Gangetic Plain. “On a median, contribution of smoke to Delhi’s every day PM2.5 throughout center of October to November eight has been the bottom within the final 4 years. Thus far, it has recorded on a median 12 per cent per day in distinction to 17 per cent per day in 2020, 14 per cent per day in 2019, and 16 per cent per day in 2018 (as reported by SAFAR),” the CSE stated. “If transformed to absolute concentrations, the per day contribution of smoke stood at 26 microgram per cubic metre this 12 months to this point in comparison with 35 microgram per cubic metre in 2020, 40 microgram per cubic metre in 2019, and 31 microgram per cubic metre in 2018,” it stated. Nonetheless, the height contribution of smoke to Delhi’s PM degree was recorded on seventh November when it hit 48 per cent. This the second highest every day contribution proportion recorded since such estimation was began by SAFAR in 2018. The best single day contribution proportion has been 58 per cent recorded on November 5, 2018.

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Centre For Science And Environment

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Centre For Science And Environment

Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Delhi in grip of season"s first smog episode, likely to be longest in 4 yrs: CSE

The first severe smog episode has hit Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) and is expected to last for another two days, green think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said on Wednesday. Even though the seasonal smog in Delhi is intense, the average daily contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 has been the lowest in last four years, it said. “Predictably, the season"s first episode has been triggered by the combined effect of unfavourable weather conditions (cool and calm winds and inversion), stubble burning and firecrackers,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. Compared to the first smog episode of previous four years, the current smog has matched the duration of the first smog of 2018 and 2020 season -- both lasted six days. If conditions don"t improve, it might overtake the 2019 smog that lasted eight days, the CSE said.The average intensity of the smog this year so far is 329 microgram per cubic metre per day, which is lower than that of the 2020 smog (by 7 per cent) and 2019 smog (by 3 per cent). It is more intense than the 2018 smog (about 9 per cent).Lingering on of this year"s smog for longer duration despite relatively windier local conditions might be due to the lack of pollution control measures in the city, the green think tank said.“While very high concentrations of PM2.5 have hogged attention, the levels of gases – ozone, CO or NO2 -- have remained elevated during this smog episode. Also, the ratio of SO2 to NO2 increased on Diwali night indicating increased pollution load from firecrackers. The PM2.5 concentration on Diwali night (8 pm to 8 am) has been the most intense since 2017," said Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager, Urban Lab, CSE.This analysis is based on the real time data available from the current working air quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR and the larger Indo-Gangetic Plain.“On an average, contribution of smoke to Delhi"s daily PM2.5 during middle of October to November 8 has been the lowest in the last four years. So far, it has recorded on an average 12 per cent per day in contrast to 17 per cent per day in 2020, 14 per cent per day in 2019, and 16 per cent per day in 2018 (as reported by SAFAR),” the CSE said. “If converted to absolute concentrations, the per day contribution of smoke stood at 26 microgram per cubic metre this year so far compared to 35 microgram per cubic metre in 2020, 40 microgram per cubic metre in 2019, and 31 microgram per cubic metre in 2018,” it said.However, the peak contribution of smoke to Delhi"s PM level was recorded on 7th November when it hit 48 per cent.This the second highest daily contribution percentage recorded since such estimation was started by SAFAR in 2018.The highest single day contribution percentage has been 58 per cent recorded on November 5, 2018. “The ongoing smog episode is a public health emergency. This requires urgent emergency action on key combustion sources (vehicles, industry, waste burning) and dust sources (construction and roads) to prevent further trapping of pollution when there is no wind to blow this away. We need pollution-source-wise and hotspot-wise status of action,” Roychowdhury said. PTI GVS RHL