https://www.newsr.in/n/India/1zn4kjazn2/First-severe-smog-hits-Delhi-national-capital-could.htm
This year could be the worst smog episode for Delhi and its neighbouring areas, warn the green think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). According to the green think-tank, smog is expected to last for another two days in the Delhi-NCR regions. This means that the first severe smog episode in Delhi could be the longest in four years. According to Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, CSE research and advocacy, the season’s first smog episode has been triggered by the combined effect of unfavourable weather conditions, stubble burning and firecrackers. On the other hand, CSE data says the average daily contribution of smoke from farm fires has been the lowest in the last four years during the time period from the middle of October to November 8. The peak contribution of smoke to Delhi’s PM level was recorded on November 7 when it hit 48%. The green think-tank says this year’s first smog episode has already lasted six days which matches that of 2018 and 2020. However, this could further increase if conditions do not improve and may even overtake the 2019 record of eight days. The average intensity of the smog this year so far is 329 micrograms per cubic metre per day. This is lower by 7% than that of 2020 smog and by 3% than that of 2019 smog. However, it is more intense than that of 2018 smog by about 9%. The green think tank has blamed the lack of pollution control measures in the city for a longer duration of smog episodes in Delhi despite relatively windier local conditions. The analysis has been done on the basis of real-time data available from the current working air quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR and the larger Indo-Gangetic Plain.
The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said the ongoing smog episode is a public health emergency New Delhi: A layer of smog shrouded Delhi-NCR on Thursday and partially blotted out the sun on Chhath Puja as the air quality slipped back into the severe zone with unfavourable meteorological conditions aiding accumulation of pollutants, authorities said. Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said 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," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. At 10 am, Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 407. Thirty-three of the 39 air quality monitoring stations in the national capital recorded air pollution levels in the severe category. The 24-hour average AQI was 372 on Wednesday. Ghaziabad (454), Greater Noida (404) and Noida (426) also recorded severe air quality at 10 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". An official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said shallow fog and low temperatures in the morning -- Delhi recorded the season's lowest temperature of 12.6 degrees Celsius on Thursday -- trapped pollutants close to the ground and calm winds led to stagnant conditions. Visibility levels at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Safdarjung Airport dropped to 600-800 metres, he added. The CSE said the current severe smog episode in Delhi-NCR is expected to last for two more days. It also said the average daily contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 was the lowest in four years. "Compared to the first smog episode of the 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 do not improve, it might overtake the 2019 smog that lasted eight days," the CSE said. 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 green think tank said. On an average, the contribution of smoke to Delhi's daily PM2.5 from the middle of October to November 8 was the lowest in the last four years. "So far, it has recorded an average of 12 per cent (farm fire share) 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. 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.
A layer of smog shrouded Delhi-NCR on Thursday and partially blotted out the sun on Chhath Puja as the air quality slipped back into the severe zone with unfavourable meteorological conditions aiding accumulation of pollutants, authorities said. Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said the ongoing smog episode is a public health emergency. Advertisement "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," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. At 10 am, Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 407. Thirty-three of the 39 air quality monitoring stations in the national capital recorded air pollution levels in the severe category. The 24-hour average AQI was 372 on Wednesday. Ghaziabad (454), Greater Noida (404) and Noida (426) also recorded severe air quality at 10 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". An official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said shallow fog and low temperatures in the morning -- Delhi recorded the season's lowest temperature of 12.6 degrees Celsius on Thursday -- trapped pollutants close to the ground and calm winds led to stagnant conditions. He added that the visibility levels at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Safdarjung Airport dropped to 600-800 metres. The CSE said the current severe smog episode in Delhi-NCR is expected to last for two more days. It also said the average daily contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 was the lowest in four years. "Compared to the first smog episode of the 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 do not improve, it might overtake the 2019 smog that lasted eight days," the CSE said. 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 green think tank said. On average, the contribution of smoke to Delhi's daily PM2.5 from the middle of October to November 8 was the lowest in the last four years. "So far, it has recorded an average of 12 per cent (farm fire share) 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. 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.
New Delhi: A layer of smog shrouded Delhi-NCR on Thursday and partially blotted out the sun on Chhath Puja as the air quality slipped back into the severe zone with unfavourable meteorological conditions aiding accumulation of pollutants, authorities said. Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said 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," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. At 10 am, Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 407. Thirty-three of the 39 air quality monitoring stations in the national capital recorded air pollution levels in the severe category. The 24-hour average AQI was 372 on Wednesday. Ghaziabad (454), Greater Noida (404) and Noida (426) also recorded severe air quality at 10 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". An official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said shallow fog and low temperatures in the morning -- Delhi recorded the season's lowest temperature of 12.6 degrees Celsius on Thursday -- trapped pollutants close to the ground and calm winds led to stagnant conditions. Visibility levels at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Safdarjung Airport dropped to 600-800 metres, he added. The CSE said the current severe smog episode in Delhi-NCR is expected to last for two more days. It also said the average daily contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 was the lowest in four years. "Compared to the first smog episode of the 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 do not improve, it might overtake the 2019 smog that lasted eight days," the CSE said. 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 green think tank said. On an average, the contribution of smoke to Delhi's daily PM2.5 from the middle of October to November 8 was the lowest in the last four years. "So far, it has recorded an average of 12 per cent (farm fire share) 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. 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.
A layer of smog shrouded Delhi-NCR on Thursday and partially blotted out the sun on Chhath Puja as the air quality slipped back into the severe zone with unfavourable meteorological conditions aiding accumulation of pollutants, authorities said. Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said 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," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. At 10 am, Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 407. Thirty-three of the 39 air quality monitoring stations in the national capital recorded air pollution levels in the severe category. The 24-hour average AQI was 372 on Wednesday. Ghaziabad (454), Greater Noida (404) and Noida (426) also recorded severe air quality at 10 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". An official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said shallow fog and low temperatures in the morning -- Delhi recorded the season's lowest temperature of 12.6 degrees Celsius on Thursday -- trapped pollutants close to the ground and calm winds led to stagnant conditions. Visibility levels at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Safdarjung Airport dropped to 600-800 metres, he added. The CSE said the current severe smog episode in Delhi-NCR is expected to last for two more days. It also said the average daily contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 was the lowest in four years. "Compared to the first smog episode of the 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 do not improve, it might overtake the 2019 smog that lasted eight days," the CSE said. 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 green think tank said. On an average, the contribution of smoke to Delhi's daily PM2.5 from the middle of October to November 8 was the lowest in the last four years. "So far, it has recorded an average of 12 per cent (farm fire share) 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. 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.
New Delhi(PTI): A layer of smog shrouded Delhi-NCR on Thursday and partially blotted out the sun on Chhath Puja as the air quality slipped back into the severe zone with unfavourable meteorological conditions aiding accumulation of pollutants, authorities said. Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said 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," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. At 10 am, Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 407. Thirty-three of the 39 air quality monitoring stations in the national capital recorded air pollution levels in the severe category. The 24-hour average AQI was 372 on Wednesday. Ghaziabad (454), Greater Noida (404) and Noida (426) also recorded severe air quality at 10 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". An official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said shallow fog and low temperatures in the morning -- Delhi recorded the season's lowest temperature of 12.6 degrees Celsius on Thursday -- trapped pollutants close to the ground and calm winds led to stagnant conditions. Visibility levels at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Safdarjung Airport dropped to 600-800 metres, he added. The CSE said the current severe smog episode in Delhi-NCR is expected to last for two more days. It also said the average daily contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 was the lowest in four years. "Compared to the first smog episode of the 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 do not improve, it might overtake the 2019 smog that lasted eight days," the CSE said. 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 green think tank said. On an average, the contribution of smoke to Delhi's daily PM2.5 from the middle of October to November 8 was the lowest in the last four years. "So far, it has recorded an average of 12 per cent (farm fire share) 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. 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.
The first severe smog has hit the national capital, according to a report. Read this article further to know more about it Smog and pollution have made it extremely difficult to breathe in a healthy way whenever we are outside our home. It is important to take necessary precautions such as wearing masks to protect yourself from various health hazards caused by smog. According to green think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the first severe smog episode has hit Delhi and NCR, ans is expected to stay for another two days. The level of seasonal smog in Delhi is severe, but the daily average measure of smoke from farm fires from October to November 8 has been lowest in the last 4 years. If we look at the first smog episode of previous four years, the current smog has reached the duration of the first smog of 2018 and 2020 season, as both of them lasted for six days. If the situation does not get better, it might even go beyond the 2019 smog that lasted for eight days, as per CSE. The average intensity of the smog this year till now is 329 microgram per cubic metre a day, which is lesser than 2020 smog by 7 per cent and 2019 smog by 3 per cent. And, it is more severe than the 2018 smog, which is about 9 per cent Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE, 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." smog Ads by Jagran.TV "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 report is based on the real time data analysis which was provided from the current air quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR and the larger Indo-Gangetic Plain.
New Delhi. If you live in Delhi NCR then you may have to face dense smog for the next few days. According to a report by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE), for the first time this season, a thick blanket of haze will be seen over the entire Indo-Gangetic plane for the next seven days. The main reason for this smog is the smoke emanating from crackers and stubble burning on Diwali and the changing weather. This year is the lowest recorded stubble smoke in the last four years. A deadly mix of toxic gases including ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide are being recorded on a large scale in addition to PM 2.5 in the haze being recorded in Delhi and NCR. The level of PM 2.5 in the air was highest from 8 am to 8 am on Diwali night since 2017. At the same time, the proportion of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide in the air has also been very high, which shows the effect of firecrackers. According to CSAE, in view of the dense smog in the air, immediate emergency steps are needed to prevent further increase in pollution. At the same time, governments also need to adopt a long-term policy. Read also: If the stubble is lit, the earnings will decrease, everyone will suffer along with the farmers The average level of PM 2.5 in Delhi’s air remains up to 250 micrograms per cubic meter. On November 05, the level of PM 2.5 in the air had reached 501 micrograms per cubic meter. Under the standards, the level of PM 2.5 in the air should not exceed 60 micrograms per cubic metre. By November 8, the level of PM 2.5 in the air had come down to 256 micrograms per cubic meter. But even now it remains above dangerous levels. On November 8 this year, the level of stubble smoke in the air was the lowest recorded in the last four years. On November 8 this year, its level in the air was 12 percent. Its level in the air in 2020 was 17 percent. It was 14 percent in 2019 and 16 percent in 2018. The level of smog in the air of Delhi was highest on 7th November. It had reached 48 percent. This was the highest in 2018 after the formation of SAFAR, an organization that monitors pollution levels in Delhi’s air. On November 5, the level of smog in Delhi’s air had reached 58 percent. Read also: Data Story: The smoke of firecrackers is heavy on your breath, this report revealed Dangerous gases increased in the air According to the CSE report, the level of hazardous gases in the air of Delhi is also increasing continuously due to pollution. The level of ozone gas in the air is being recorded more than the standards. At the same time, due to smog, the level of carbon monoxide in the air has also remained above the standards. Most polluted night of Diwali in last five years According to the CSE report, in the last five years, the level of pollution in the air was very high this year from 8 pm on Diwali to 8 am the next day. In the last five years, the average level of PM 2.5 in the air during this period was 747 micrograms per cubic meter, which is 22 percent higher than in 2020. At the same time, this level of PM 2.5 in the air on Diwali night is 4.5 times more than the normal level.
New Delhi. If you live in Delhi NCR then you may have to face dense smog for the next few days. According to a report by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE), for the first time this season, a thick blanket of haze will be seen over the entire Indo-Gangetic plane for the next seven days. The main reason for this smog is the smoke emanating from crackers and stubble burning on Diwali and the changing weather. This year is the lowest recorded stubble smoke in the last four years. A deadly mix of toxic gases including ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide are being recorded on a large scale in addition to PM 2.5 in the haze being recorded in Delhi and NCR. The level of PM 2.5 in the air was highest from 8 am to 8 am on Diwali night since 2017. At the same time, the proportion of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide in the air has also been very high, which shows the effect of firecrackers. According to CSAE, in view of the dense smog in the air, immediate emergency steps are needed to prevent further increase in pollution. At the same time, governments also need to adopt a long-term policy. Read also: If the stubble is lit, the earnings will decrease, everyone will suffer along with the farmers The average level of PM 2.5 in Delhi’s air remains up to 250 micrograms per cubic meter. On November 05, the level of PM 2.5 in the air had reached 501 micrograms per cubic meter. Under the standards, the level of PM 2.5 in the air should not exceed 60 micrograms per cubic metre. By November 8, the level of PM 2.5 in the air had come down to 256 micrograms per cubic meter. But even now it remains above dangerous levels. On November 8 this year, the level of stubble smoke in the air was the lowest recorded in the last four years. On November 8 this year, its level in the air was 12 percent. Its level in the air in 2020 was 17 percent. It was 14 percent in 2019 and 16 percent in 2018. The level of smog in the air of Delhi was highest on 7th November. It had reached 48 percent. This was the highest in 2018 after the formation of SAFAR, an organization that monitors pollution levels in Delhi’s air. On November 5, the level of smog in Delhi’s air had reached 58 percent. Read also: Data Story: The smoke of firecrackers is heavy on your breath, this report revealed Dangerous gases increased in the air According to the CSE report, the level of hazardous gases in the air of Delhi is also increasing continuously due to pollution. The level of ozone gas in the air is being recorded more than the standards. At the same time, due to smog, the level of carbon monoxide in the air has also remained above the standards. Most polluted night of Diwali in last five years According to the CSE report, in the last five years, the level of pollution in the air was very high this year from 8 pm on Diwali to 8 am the next day. In the last five years, the average level of PM 2.5 in the air during this period was 747 micrograms per cubic meter, which is 22 percent higher than in 2020. At the same time, this level of PM 2.5 in the air on Diwali night is 4.5 times more than the normal level.
A layer of smog shrouded Delhi-NCR on Thursday and partially blotted out the sun on Chhath Puja as the air quality slipped back into the severe zone with unfavourable meteorological conditions aiding accumulation of pollutants, authorities said. Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said 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,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. At 10 am, Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 407. Thirty-three of the 39 air quality monitoring stations in the national capital recorded air pollution levels in the severe category. The 24-hour average AQI was 372 on Wednesday. Ghaziabad (454), Greater Noida (404) and Noida (426) also recorded severe air quality at 10 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”. An official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said shallow fog and low temperatures in the morning — Delhi recorded the season”s lowest temperature of 12.6 degrees Celsius on Thursday — trapped pollutants close to the ground and calm winds led to stagnant conditions. Visibility levels at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Safdarjung Airport dropped to 600-800 metres, he added. The CSE said the current severe smog episode in Delhi-NCR is expected to last for two more days. It also said the average daily contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 was the lowest in four years. “Compared to the first smog episode of the 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 do not improve, it might overtake the 2019 smog that lasted eight days,” the CSE said. 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 green think tank said. On an average, the contribution of smoke to Delhi”s daily PM2.5 from the middle of October to November 8 was the lowest in the last four years. “So far, it has recorded an average of 12 per cent (farm fire share) 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. 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.
Centre for Science and Environment reported that the daily approximate contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 has been the lowest in the past four years. The Green think-tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on November 10 stated that the first severe smog episode has struck Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) which is expected to last more than two days. While the seasonal smog in the national capital is intense, the daily approximate contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 has been the lowest in past four years, NDTV quoted a CSE report as saying. A Significant Change "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," CSE's executive director, research and advocacy Anumita Roychowdhury were quoted as saying by the media outlet. In comparison with the first smog episode over the last four years, the current smog situation has matched the duration of the first smog of the 2018 and 2020 seasons -- both of which lasted for nearly six days. In case the condition remains the same, it might overtake the 2019 smog which lasted eight days, the CSE stated. Some Staggering Numbers In 2021, the average intensity of the smog so far is 329 micrograms per cubic metre each day, which remains lower than that of the 2020 smog (by 7%) and 2019 smog (by 3%). However, it is way more intense than the 2018 smog (approximately 9%). The green think tank then went on to add how the extended duration for the smog being present this year despite relatively windier local conditions might be down to the lack of pollution control measures in Delhi. The entire analysis is based on the real-time data obtainable from the current working air quality monitoring stations in the larger Indo-Gangetic Plain and Delhi-NCR. Air quality in the national capital went down to 'hazardous' category after numerous people neglected the state's government's instructions and took to bursting firecrackers on Diwali. While Delhi and its nearby areas were covered in a thick blanket of smog the next day, citizens also complained about facing skin and breathing problems due to the poor air quality. https://thelogicalindian.com/environment/first-major-smog-episode-strikes-delhi-might-be-longest-in-4-years-report-31855
NEW DELHI: Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai on Thursday kicked off a month-long campaign against open burning of waste and biomass with an inspection of the Ghazipur landfill, and directed EDMC officials to prepare a fire control plan. The government will review the reasons behind the "slow rate" of biomining of legacy waste at the Ghazipur landfill, the minister said, adding that only five per cent of it has been processed in two and a half years. "We have launched a campaign to prevent open burning of waste and biomass to cut down on pollution generated within Delhi. Ten departments – DPCC, municipal corporations, revenue department, Delhi Development Authority, Development Department, DSIIDC, I & FC Department and Cantonment Board – are involved in the campaign," Rai told reporters here. The minister said 550 patrol teams have been formed, of which 246 will be deployed at night. The second phase of the anti-dust campaign will be run from November 12 to December 12, he said. Rai said he has directed officials of the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) to prepare a plan to control fires at the Ghazipur landfill which "keep on burning for days and pollute the air". He said according to a recent report by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, only five per cent of the legacy waste at the Ghazipur landfill has been processed in two and a half years. "It seems difficult to accomplish the task at this rate. They are saying it will take 13 years. The progress is very poor. The EDMC needs to prepare a proper action plan... The city government will also review the reason behind the delay," Rai said. On Thursday, a thick layer of smog shrouded Delhi-NCR and partially blotted out the sun on Chhath Puja as the air quality slipped back into the 'severe' zone, with unfavourable meteorological conditions aiding accumulation of pollutants, authorities said. Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said 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," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. At 2 pm, Delhi recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 407. Thirty-three of the 39 air quality monitoring stations in the national capital recorded air pollution levels in the 'severe' category. The 24-hour average AQI was 372 on Wednesday. Ghaziabad (455), Greater Noida (407) and Noida (429) also recorded severe air quality at 10 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". An official from the India Meteorological Department said shallow fog and low temperature – Delhi recorded the season's lowest minimum of 12.6 degrees Celsius – in the morning trapped pollutants close to the ground and calm winds led to stagnant conditions. Visibility levels at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Safdarjung airport dropped to 600-800 metres, he said. The CSE said the current severe smog episode in Delhi-NCR is expected to last another two days.
A layer of smog shrouded Delhi-NCR on Thursday and partially blotted out the sun on Chhath Puja as the air quality slipped back into the severe zone with unfavourable meteorological conditions aiding accumulation of pollutants, authorities said. Green think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said 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,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. At 10 a.m., Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 407. Thirty-three of the 39 air quality monitoring stations in the national capital recorded air pollution levels in the severe category. The 24-hour average AQI was 372 on Wednesday. Ghaziabad (454), Greater Noida (404) and Noida (426) also recorded severe air quality at 10 a.m. 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”. An official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said shallow fog and low temperatures in the morning – Delhi recorded the season’s lowest temperature of 12.6°C on Thursday – trapped pollutants close to the ground and calm winds led to stagnant conditions. Visibility levels at the Indira Gandhi International Airport and the Safdarjung Airport dropped to 600-800 metres, he added. The CSE said the current severe smog episode in Delhi-NCR is expected to last for two more days. It also said the average daily contribution of smoke from farm fires from the middle of October to November 8 was the lowest in four years. “Compared to the first smog episode of the 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 do not improve, it might overtake the 2019 smog that lasted eight days,” the CSE said. 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 green think tank said. On an average, the contribution of smoke to Delhi’s daily PM2.5 from the middle of October to November 8 was the lowest in the last four years. “So far, it has recorded an average of 12% (farm fire share) per day in contrast to 17% per day in 2020, 14% per day in 2019 and 16% per day in 2018 (as reported by SAFAR),” the CSE said. The share of farm fires in Delhi’s pollution rose to 48% on Sunday, the highest since November 5, 2018, when it was recorded at 58%. Last year, the share of stubble burning in Delhi’s pollution had peaked at 42% on November 5. In 2019, crop residue burning accounted for 44% of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution on November 1.
Sources say that it will also not begin the mechanism to push out cash until at least end 2022, under optimal conditions. While it recognises the need for urgent climate finance by developed economies, the draft agreement hammered out at COP26 after nine days of intense negotiations does not put a final target on the total amount of finance or the minimum level of funds to be raised. “The draft agreement has mentioned the need for significantly scaling up the $100-billion climate finance target manifold, and has suggested that this may reach more than $1 trillion. However, there is scant movement beyond this,” a senior official present at the summit said. Climate finance refers to local, national or transnational financing—drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing—that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change. Even before COP26 began in Glasgow, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development had said developed countries would likely reach the $100-billion goal only in 2023. Among other things, the draft agreement also calls for ending further coal exploration and production, as well as subsidies for fossil fuel. The first draft would go through multiple revisions before a concrete deal emerges. Meanwhile, international media has reported from the Glasgow summit that India has sought $1 trillion worth of financing just for itself. This is over and above the finance set to be extended to least developed countries, Pacific island states and sub-Saharan Africa, some of the poorest parts of the globe that are more susceptible to extreme weather events due to climate change. However, sources said that the final amount of financing required would depend on multiple factors and currently remained unspecified. They did not confirm whether India wants $1 trillion worth of finance for itself. Senior officials in the environment ministry, though, had earlier confirmed to Moneycontrol that India would not only seek finance for itself but would continue to bear the responsibility of arguing on behalf of smaller developing nations. “On a broad scale, the amount of finance to be required by developing nations, including India, would be directly linked to how fast the developed nations reduce their emissions,” a senior source in the know said. He added that India has communicated to the Conference of Parties or COP that developed countries need to be more ambitious in reducing carbon emissions, given that India has set a deadline of 2070 to become ‘'net zero’'. While the US, European Union and even China have all set earlier dates, their economies have already reached a higher stage of industrialization and prosperity that India is yet to naturally achieve. At the historic Paris summit in 2015, all emitters, big and small, had agreed to bring forward new and more ambitious carbon-cutting plans every five years. The 2020 deadline has since passed without major commitments from any member of the developed bloc. The Indian position The government also continues to argue that the country’s per capita emissions show each Indian has a much smaller carbon footprint than the average American or European. “This COP is all about climate finance. This represents the final barrier in the fight against climate change. Almost everything has been proposed and tried. Now, only the money remains to be made available,” said Samrat Sengupta, programme director, climate change and renewable energy at the New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment. India is also pushing for a part of the green financing from developed nations to be channelled into the International Solar Alliance, a network of now 101-plus countries that it has established and championed. The grouping has grown significantly in recent years and established the Global Green Grids Initiative last week at COP26. The ambitious move is based on a plan to improve connectivity between the world’s power grids to accelerate the transition to greener energy. It will allow areas with excess renewable power to send it to areas facing a shortage. With the United States being the latest entrant into the grouping, the government is pushing for greater financing.
नई दिल्ली: प्रदूषण पर काबू पाने के लिए दिवाली के पर्व पर कईं राज्यों ने पटाखों पर बैन लगाया लेकिन दिल्ली में मौसम की पहली घनी धुंध छा गयी है। दिवाली के बाद जहां प्रदूषण का स्तर बढ़ा वहीं दिल्ली में सबसे बुरा हाल है। आने वाले कुछ दिन भी लोगों को काफी समस्याओं का सामना करना पड़ सकता है। दरअसल हाल ही में सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड इनवायरमेंट CSE की एक रिपोर्ट में ये बात सामने आई है कि धुंध की मोटी चादर अगले 7 दिनों तक पूरे इंडो गैंजेटिक प्लेन में देखी जाएगी। जिसके कारण अब आने वाले दिनों में लोगों के लिए सांस लेनी भी मुश्किल हो जाएगी। इस साल प्रदूषण का स्तर रहा अधिक CSE की रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक पिछले 5 सालों में दिवाली की रात दिल्ली में प्रदूषण का स्तर काफी अधिक रहा है। साथ ही दिल्ली की हवा में खतरनाक गैसों का स्तर भी बढ़ता जदा रहा है। रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक हवा में ओजोन गैस का स्तर सबसे अधिक दर्ज किया गया है। लगातार बढ़ते प्रदूषण को देखते हुए CSE ने जल्द से जल्द कदम उठाने के लिए कहा है ताकि बढ़ते प्रदूषण को कंट्रोल किया जा सके। वहीं सरकारों से भी इसके लिए जल्द से जल्द काम करने को कहा है।