• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Good news for Delhi: Pollution lower, winter beginning on cleaner note

सेंटर फॉर सायन्स अँड एन्व्हायर्नमेंट (सीएसई) च्या विश्लेषणानुसार, 2021 हिवाळ्याची सुरुवात “स्वच्छ थ्रेशोल्ड” ने झाली आहे. विश्लेषण 1 जानेवारी 2018 ते 15 ऑक्टोबर 2021 या कालावधीत PM 2.5 पातळीचे मूल्यांकन करते. PM 2.5 पातळी 24-तास मानकांचे उल्लंघन करू लागतात परिणामी मान्सून मागे गेल्यावर हवेचे दिवस खराब होतात. हे सप्टेंबरमध्ये 2018 आणि 2020 मध्ये सुरू झाले, तर 2019 आणि 2021 मध्ये ते ऑक्टोबरपर्यंत विलंबित झाले. 1 सप्टेंबर ते 15 ऑक्टोबर हा कालावधी विश्लेषणात ‘हिवाळापूर्व’ मानला जातो. सीएसईने दिलेल्या आकडेवारीनुसार, यावर्षी हिवाळ्यापूर्वीच्या हंगामासाठी सरासरी पीएम 2.5 पातळी 42 µg/m3 होती, 2020 मध्ये 62 µg/m3 पेक्षा कमी, 2019 मध्ये 51 µg/m3 आणि 2018 मध्ये 59 µg/m3. सीएसईच्या संशोधन आणि वकिलीच्या कार्यकारी संचालिका अनुमिता रॉयचौधरी म्हणाल्या, “यावर्षी तीव्र मान्सून आणि विलंब झालेल्या पावसामुळे हिवाळ्यापूर्वीच्या तुलनेत स्वच्छ हवामानात योगदान मिळाले. आता आपण पाहतोय तो हवामानाचा परिणाम. आगींची संख्या कमी आहे, परंतु पावसामुळे आग विझवण्यास विलंब होत असल्याने हे देखील असू शकते. या हिवाळ्यात प्रदूषण किती प्रमाणात परत येईल हे आम्ही सांगू शकत नाही. स्वच्छ हिवाळ्यापूर्वीचा काळ स्वच्छ हिवाळ्याची हमी देईल हे आम्ही गृहीत धरू शकत नाही. ” सीएसईने नासाच्या उपग्रहांकडून अग्नि मोजणीच्या आकडेवारीचे विश्लेषण केल्याने असे सूचित होते की यावर्षी हिवाळ्यापूर्वीच्या हंगामात अग्नि गणना मागील वर्षी नोंदवलेल्या अर्ध्यापेक्षा कमी आहे. याचे श्रेय या वर्षी पडलेल्या पावसाच्या सरींना किंवा ढगाच्या आच्छादनामुळे आहे जे उपग्रह चित्रणात अडथळा आणू शकतात. मागील वर्षी हिवाळ्यापूर्वीच्या हंगामासाठी आगीची संख्या (पंजाब आणि हरियाणासाठी एकूण) 5,078 होती, या वर्षी 2,351 च्या तुलनेत. 2019 मध्ये, ते 2,299 वर होते, ते 2018 मध्ये 1,765 वर होते. 2020 मध्ये हिवाळ्याच्या हंगामाची एकूण संख्या 75,600 होती, 2019 मध्ये 48,155 आणि 2018 मध्ये 63,979 ची वाढ झाली. 2018 आणि 2020 प्रमाणेच, 10 ऑक्टोबर 2021 च्या सुमारास हवेच्या गुणवत्तेत शेतातील खडे जाळण्याचे योगदान सुरू झाले, असे विश्लेषणात नमूद करण्यात आले आहे. या वर्षी 16 ऑक्टोबर रोजी दिल्लीतील PM 2.5 पातळींपैकी 14% हे SAFAR मॉनिटरिंग सिस्टमद्वारे पेंढा जाळण्याला कारणीभूत होते तेव्हा हे योगदान शिखरावर पोहोचले. पीएम 2.5 च्या पातळीवर स्टबल जाळण्याचे योगदान 40%पर्यंत जाऊ शकते. गेल्या वर्षी प्रतिदिन सरासरी योगदान 12.2% होते, 2019 मध्ये 8.9% पेक्षा जास्त आणि 2018 मध्ये 10.9% प्रतिदिन. गेल्या हिवाळ्यात, पीएम 2.5 पातळी 23 दिवस गंभीर श्रेणीत होती, 2019-20 मध्ये 25 वरून खाली , आणि 2018-19 च्या हिवाळ्यात 34 दिवस. 2020 मध्ये हिवाळी हंगामी सरासरी PM 2.5 पातळी 194 µg/m3, 2019 मध्ये 180 µg/m3 आणि 2018 मध्ये 200 µg/m3 होती. दिल्लीत यंदा स्वच्छ मान्सून दिसला, पण अधिक प्रदूषित उन्हाळा. विश्लेषण असे दर्शविते की, यंदाचा मान्सून सीझन 2018 पासून दिल्लीसाठी ‘सर्वात स्वच्छ’ होता. या वर्षीच्या पावसाळी हंगामात सरासरी PM 2.5 पातळी 41 µg/m3 होती, 2020 मध्ये 44 µg/m3, 46 µg/m3 2019 मध्ये आणि 2018 मध्ये 49 µg/m3. यावर्षी उन्हाळ्यात 2020 पेक्षा PM 2.5 ची उच्च पातळी दिसून आली. 2020 मध्ये उन्हाळ्यात सरासरी PM 2.5 पातळी 57 µg/m3 होती, तर या वर्षी 79 µg/m3 ची उच्च सरासरी नोंदली गेली.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Good monsoon contributes to cleaner pre-winter air

Due to the cleanest monsoon in the last four years, pre-winter pollution in Delhi recorded cleaner this year, CSE (Centre for Science and Environment) said on Friday. The CSE in its analyses on air pollution said pollution build -up well synchronized across the Indo-Gangetic Plain and this demands regional action and demanded for making short-term emergency measures more robust, and also push for deeper system changes to reduce traffic volumes, eliminate waste burning, ban dirty industrial fuels, and implement stringent dust control measures especially in the construction sector. According to the CSE report on air pollution, the extraordinarily wet monsoon season has also translated into the cleanest monsoon season for Delhi in the last four years. “The city-wide average for the monsoon this year stood at 41 microgramme per cubic metre (ug/m3), with 96 days meeting the 24-hour standard for PM2.5. There was a progressive increase in the number of cleaner days with an average 6 per cent annual improvement since 2018. In Delhi, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range recorded the lowest seasonal average of 33 ug/m3, while the National Stadium had 100 days that met the daily standard. Anand Vihar, with a seasonal average of 61 ug/m3 had lesser number of days – 54 -- meeting the standard and was the worst hotspot in the city,” the Delhi based think-tank said, adding, “The start of the monsoon’s retreat date almost perfectly coincides with the start of bad air days in Delhi.” Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE: “The 2021 winter is starting with a cleaner threshold compared to the previous years, largely due to the intense and prolonged effect of the monsoons. While winter pollution cannot be predicted at this moment, the evidence of rising summer pollution in 2021 despite the lockdown and the evidence of a synchronised effect of winter pollution across the Indo-Gangetic Plain add to our concern. How soon and intensely the winter pollution will hit us will depend on the scale and speed of action across the region and leveraging it for more sustained air quality gains.” CSE also said summer pollution is also increasing. Comparing summer 2020 pollution data with 2021, it said the advantage of improved air quality during the summer of 2020 due to the lockdown was lost in the 2021 summer, with the seasonal average climbing to 79 ug/m3 and the number of days meeting the standard plummeting to 51 (from 90 in 2020). “In fact, PM2.5 levels this summer have almost returned to the 2019 levels despite the partial lockdowns,” it said. “The first phase of winter smog is often triggered by large-scale stubble burning in the region. The contribution of farm stubble fire this year started roughly around October 10, the same time as in 2018 and 2020. Peak contribution this year so far was registered on October 16 when 14 percent of Delhi’s PM2.5 was attributed to stubble fire smoke (according to SAFAR). Heavy rains in the following days washed out the first build-up of the season. The smoke season generally peaks around the cusp of October and November, with contribution spiking to over 40 per cent on the worst days,”CSE added.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

इस साल दिल्ली-एनसीआर की हवा हो सकती है सबसे दमघोंटू, जानिए वजह

नई दिल्ली: आमतौर पर मानसून के बाद और सर्दियों की आहट के महीने अक्टूबर में दिल्ली वालों को जानलेवा हवा (Air Pollution) का सामना करना पड़ता है. हालांकि इस बार हालात पिछले सालों जितने बुरे नहीं हैं. हवा खराब लेकिन पहले से बेहतर अक्टूबर के महीने में हवा की क्वालिटी (Air Pollution) खराब तो हुई है. फिर भी यह मॉडरेट और खराब यानी Poor के बीच की क्वालिटी बनी हुई है. जबकि पिछले सालों में इस महीने एयर क्वालिटी इंडेक्स पर दिल्ली की हवा बेहद खराब यानी Very Poor स्तर में रही है. दिल्ली में इस साल पिछले 4 सालों का सबसे साफ मानसून सीजन भी दर्ज हुआ है. इस वर्ष अभी तक 96 दिन दिल्ली की हवा सांस लेने लायक रही है. जबकि पीएम PM 2.5 का स्तर 41 के औसत पर रहा है. वर्ष 2018 के मुकाबले हर वर्ष 6 फीसदी की दर से साफ दिनों में बढ़ोतरी हुई है. दिल्ली में कर्णी सिंह शूटिंग रेंज और नेशनल स्टेडियम में सबसे अच्छी हवा दर्ज की गई. कर्णी सिंह रेंज में पीएम 2.5 का स्तर 33 के औसत पर रहा. इसी तरह नेशनल स्टेडियम में 100 दिनों तक हवा का स्तर बेहतर बना रहा है. इस मौसम में भी दिल्ली में आनंद विहार का हाल सबसे खराब रहा. वहां केवल 54 दिनों तक ही साफ हवा रह पाई. जबकि मॉनसून के पूरे सीजन का औसत दिल्ली में 66 दिन था. पंजाब बाग बना प्रदूषण का हॉट स्पॉट आनंद विहार के अलावा पंजाबी बाग को भी दिल्ली में प्रदूषण (Air Pollution) का हॉट स्पॉट माना गया है. सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एन्वायरमेंट के आंकलन के मुताबिक इस बार अच्छी बारिश की वजह से अभी हवा का स्तर ठीक बना हुआ है. हालांकि सीएसई की एक्सपर्ट अनुमिता रॉय चौधरी का मानना है कि इससे ये अंदाजा नहीं लगाया जा सकता कि सर्दियों में दिल्ली एनसीआर की हवा कैसी रहेगी. हालांकि दिल्ली की गर्मियां इस साल पिछले साल के मुकाबले थोड़ी खराब रही हैं. पिछले साल संपूर्ण लॉकडाउन की वजह से दिल्ली में हवा (Air Pollution) गर्मियों में भी अच्छी थी लेकिन इस साल लॉकडाउन के फायदे से लोग महरुम रह गए और वो असर खत्म हो गया. 2020 में गर्मियों में पीएम 2.5 का औसत 79 था जो 90 दिनों तक बना रहा. इस वर्ष केवल 51 दिन ऐसे थे जब ये औसत बरकरार रह पाया. दिल्ली की हवा खराब करने में पराली का योगदान हर साल 10 अक्टूबर के आसपास खेतों में पराली जलने का असर दिल्ली में दिखने लगता है. इस वर्ष भी ऐसा ही हुआ. अभी तक 16 अक्टूबर के दिन पराली का असर सबसे ज्यादा देखा गया है. सरकारी एप सफर के आंकड़ों के मुताबिक 16 अक्टूबर को दिल्ली की हवा खराब करने में पराली का योगदान 14 प्रतिशत था. अक्टूबर खत्म होने और नवंबर की शुरुआत में ये योगदान हर साल 40 प्रतिशत तक का हो जाता है, जो दिल्ली के हालात सबसे खराब कर देता है. ये वही दिन होते हैं, जब लोगों के लिए दिल्ली एनसीआर में बंद घरों में भी सांस लेना दूभर हो जाता है. एक्सपर्ट्स का मानना है कि वो बुरे दिन आने वाले हैं. दिल्ली एनसीआर में पीएम 2.5 के अलावा कार्बन मोनोक्सॉइड और ओजोन गैस भी काफी प्रदूषण करती हैं. लोगों का दम घोंट देता है पराली का धुआं 2020 में 1 अक्टूबर से 29 नवंबर के बीच दिल्ली में मौजूद हवा के प्रदूषण वाले PM 2.5 के कणों में रोज़ाना 12 प्रतिशत योगदान पराली के धुएं का रहा. जबकि 2019 में इसी दौरान ये आंकड़ा 8.9 प्रतिशत था. 2018 में 10.9 प्रतिशत प्रतिदिन पराली के धुएं ने दिल्ली की हवा खराब करने में अपना योगदान दिया. गौर करने वाली बात ये है कि दिल्ली की हवा (Air Pollution) खराब करने में पराली का योगदान हर साल कई गुना बढ़ा है. अगर औसत देखें तो 2018 में औसतन दिल्ली का प्रदूषण पराली का धुआं रोज 12 प्रतिशत की दर से बढ़ा रहा था जबकि2020 में ये बढ़कर 36 प्रतिशत हो गया. यानी पिछले साल सर्दियों के मौसम में पराली की वजह से दिल्ली में 36 प्रतिशत प्रदूषण बढ़ गया. कैसी थी पिछले साल की सर्दियां? पिछले साल प्रदूषण बाकी वर्षों से कम रहा है. 2020–21 की सर्दियों में 23 दिन दिल्ली एनसीआर की हवा 23 दिन Severe या बेहद गंभीर कैटेगरी में रही. 2019-20 में 25 दिन और 2018-19 में 34 दिन ऐसा रहा. ये वो दिन होते हैं जब दिल्ली में GRAP यानी Graded Response Action Plan लागू रहता है. इस बार दिल्ली में 14 लोकेशन को प्रदूषण (Air Pollution) का हॉट स्पॉट माना गया है. इनमें से 50 प्रतिशत जगहों में पिछले साल के मुकाबले हवा बेहतर रही है. लेकिन 3 नई जगहें जुड़ी हैं. राजस्थान का भिवाड़ी, हरियाणा का मानेसर और फरीदाबाद का सेक्टर 11 हवा के लिहाज़ से नए प्रदूषित हॉट स्पॉट बन गए हैं. वज़ीरपुर और साहिबाबाद में हालात बेहतर हुए हैं. सर्दी में फैल सकता है तेज कोहरा सीएसई (CSE Latest Report) ने ये आंकलन 1 जनवरी 2018 से 15 अक्टूबर 2021 के PM 2.5 के स्तर के आधार पर किया है. इसके लिए देश के 67 शहरों में लगे 156 ambient air quality monitoring stations का डाटा देखा गया. हालांकि रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक बारिश का असर देर से आया है, इसलिए इस बार स्मॉग यानी दमघोंटू प्रदूषण (Air Pollution) का असर पहले सालों के मुकाबले और खराब हो सकता है. इस बार बारिश का असर देर तक रहा है. इसलिए कोहरे के हालात नहीं बने. लेकिन इस बार तेज़ सर्दी आते आते बारिश का असर खत्म हो चुका होगा. ऐसे में तेज़ सर्दी में गहरा कोहरा मिलकर खतरनाक स्मॉग बना सकते हैं. इससे सावधान रहने और अभी एक्शन लेने की ज़रुरत है.

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Smog peak may be worse this year: Study

BATHINDA: The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has predicted that this winter may get a much severe peak in smog when compared to previous years. This was concluded after CSE analysed air quality trends in Delhi and National Capital Region (NCR), besides the larger Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) region. “This winter, we may get a much severe peak in smog; farm stubble fire counts may get more concentrated due to the delayed effect of the rains. To counter this, action must be scaled up right away,” said Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager at urban data analytics lab at CSE. Normally, the first phase of winter smog is triggered by largescale stubble burning. The contribution of farm stubble fire this year started roughly around October 10, the same time as in 2018 and 2020. Peak contribution this year so far was registered on October 16, when 14% of Delhi’s PM2.5 was attributed to stubble fire smoke. Heavy rains in the following days washed out the first build-up of the season. The smoke season generally peaks around the cusp of October and November, with contribution spiking to over 40% on the worst days, said Somvanshi. In 2020, during the stubble burning season October 1-November 29, an average 12.2% per day of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution came from farm stubble fire smoke. This was considerably higher than previous years. In 2019, contribution stood at 8.9% per day, while it was 10.9% per day in 2018. The farm fire count during the pre-winter season of 2021 has been less than half of the number recorded last year. The lower count, as reported by satellite imagery, can also be due to increased cloud cover which hinders spotting of fires by satellites. Nevertheless, lower fire count during pre-winter correlates well with the lower pollution level in Delhi-NCR. Tracking all the 67 monitored cities in the Indo Gangetic region makes it very clear that air quality dips to ‘poor’ and ‘worse’ categories as the monsoon retreats. For most of the northern plains from Punjab to central Uttar Pradesh, the start of bad air quality days is almost perfectly synchronised. Eastern plains witness the onset of pollution almost three-four weeks later. It is interesting to note that air cleans up in Punjab much earlier than in the rest of IGP, while pollution lingers on longer in NCR and adjoining western UP, the study said.

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Severe smog episodes maybe visible ahead in Delhi, says AQI analysis

The analysis is of annual and seasonal trends in PM2.5 concentration for the period between January 1, 2018 and October 15 2021. NEW DELHI: The number of days with severe concentration of PM 2.5 levels --- the most prominent pollutant and the major spike seen during winter --- have declined and the duration of smog episodes are shorter. This winter Delhi-NCR may see a much severe peak in smog, as farm stubble fire counts may get more concentrated due to the delayed effect of the rains, a pre-winter air quality trends analysis released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said. The analysis is of annual and seasonal trends in PM2.5 concentration for the period between January 1, 2018 and October 15 2021. The assessment captures three successive winter seasons, pre-winter trends and the pre-pandemic and pandemic era periods, including stages of lockdown. It is based on real-time data available from the currently operational air quality monitoring stations in Delhi-NCR and the larger Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP). “The number of days with severe concentration of PM2.5 has declined and duration of smog episodes are shorter, as is evident during the 2020-21 winter. Moreover, pollution hotspots are showing more volatile trends with some recording higher PM2.5 levels compared to the city as a whole and the regional averages even during monsoons,” said Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager at the Urban Data Analytic Lab, CSE. During the winter of 2020-21, for 23 days the city had a wide average of PM2.5 concentration in ‘severe’ or ‘worse’ AQI sub-categories -- down from 25 such days in 2019-20 winters. Technically, a smog episode is defined for the purpose of implementing emergency action under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) when the levels of PM2.5 remain in ‘severe’ category for three consecutive days. It further showed that given the experience of 2019-20, it can be expected that smog episode this year might have higher peak pollution, if special steps are not taken to reduce pollution from sources. Executive director at CSE Anumita Roychowdhury, said that given the trends, Delhi will require urgent action to prevent severe smog episodes as well as speed up deeper reforms to sustain the gains. “These include reduction in traffic volume, eliminate waste burning, implement stringent dust control measures,” she said.

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Delayed monsoon exit may mean ‘severe’ smog: Report | Latest News Delhi

Intense and heavy monsoon spells this season have helped Delhi breathe relatively cleaner air this October compared to previous years, an air quality analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has shown. However, the analysis also warns that the late withdrawal of monsoon in north India could also lead to “severe peak in smog” during winter as farmers rush to burn crop remnants in the shorter window they will now have to clear their fields. The findings are in line with remarks by other experts, who said they fear a last-minute spike could push Delhi’s air into severely polluted category, as reported by HT on Thursday. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy), CSE, said the pre-winter air this year has been relatively cleaner, primarily because of the impact of intense and prolonged monsoon. “The objective was also to understand the starting line of the onset of the winter pollution season or pre-winter levels in this region, and also to understand the longer-term trends in seasonal variations,” she said. “While winter pollution cannot be predicted at this moment, the evidence of rising summer pollution in 2021 despite the lockdown and the evidence of a synchronised effect of winter pollution across the Indo-Gangetic Plain add to our concern. How soon and intensely the winter pollution will hit us will depend on the scale and speed of action across the region and leveraging it for more sustained air quality gains.” The analysis warned that while the prolonged and intense monsoon might have temporarily averted the city’s annual air emergency, this could also cause more intense smog episodes. “This winter we may get a much severe peak in smog, as farm stubble fire counts may get more concentrated due to the delayed effect of the rains. To counter this, action must be scaled up right away,” said Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager at the urban data analytic lab, CSE. The report said that normally, the first phase of winter smog is triggered by large-scale stubble burning in the agrarian states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. It said that the peak contribution of stubble smoke this year was registered on October 16 when 14% of Delhi’s PM2.5 was attributed to stubble fire smoke. “Heavy rains in the following days washed out the first build-up of the season. The smoke season generally peaks around the cusp of October and November, with contribution spiking to over 40% on the worst days,” said Somvanshi. In 2020, during the stubble burning season October 1-November 29, an average 12.2% per day of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution came from farm stubble fire smoke. This was considerably higher than in previous years – in 2019, contributions stood at 8.9% per day, while it was 10.9% per day in 2018. The findings of the report showed that the city-wide PM 2.5 average for the monsoon this year stood at 41ug/m3, with 96 days meeting the 24-hour standard. There was a progressive increase in the number of cleaner days with an average 6% annual improvement since 2018. “In Delhi, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range recorded the lowest seasonal average of 33ug/m3, while the National Stadium had 100 days that met the daily standard. Anand Vihar, with a seasonal average of 61ug/m3 had 54 days meeting the standard and was the worst hotspot in the city,” the report read. It added. “The start of the monsoon’s retreat date almost perfectly coincides with the start of bad air days in Delhi—when the daily PM2.5 average breaches the standard and mostly remains above for rest of the season.”

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Good news for Delhi: Less pollution, the beginning of a clean winter

According to an analysis by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE), meteorological conditions due to extended periods of rainfall this year mean that the winter of 2021 is starting with a “cleaner threshold” than previous years. The analysis assesses the level of PM 2.5 from January 1, 2018 to October 15, 2021. PM 2.5 levels start violating the 24-hour norm, resulting in bad windy days when the monsoon retreats. It began in September in 2018 and 2020, while it was delayed until October in 2019 and 2021. The period from 1 September to 15 October is considered ‘pre-winter’ in the analysis. According to data provided by CSE, the average PM 2.5 level for the pre-winter season this year was 42 µg/m3, up from 62 µg/m3 in 2020, 51 µg/m3 in 2019 and 59 µg/m3 in 2018. M was less than 3. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE, said, “The strong monsoon and delayed rains contributed to a relatively clean pre-winter season this year. What we are seeing now is the effect of the weather. The number of fires is small, but it may also happen that rain may delay the fire. We cannot predict the extent to which pollution is going to return this winter. We cannot take it lightly that a clear pre-winter period will assure a clean winter.” CSE’s analysis of fire count data from NASA satellites indicates that this year’s pre-winter season fire counts are less than half last year’s. This is attributed to the rain or cloud cover seen this year, which may have hindered satellite imagery. The fire count (total for Punjab and Haryana) for the pre-winter season last year was 5,078, compared to 2,351 this year. In 2019, it increased to 2,299 from 1,765 in 2018. The total number of winter seasons in 2020 was 75,600, up from 48,155 in 2019 and 63,979 in 2018. The analysis noted that the contribution of stubble burning to air quality began around October 10, 2021, as did 2018 and 2020. This contribution peaked on 16 October this year when 14% of PM 2.5 levels in Delhi were attributed to stubble burning by the SAFAR monitoring system. The contribution of stubble burning to the level of PM 2.5 can go up to 40%. The average contribution per day last year was 12.2%, up from 8.9% per day in 2019 and 10.9% per day in 2018. Last winter, PM 2.5 levels were in the severe category for 23 days, down from 25 in 2019-20. , and 34 days in the winter of 2018-19. The winter seasonal average PM 2.5 levels were 194 micrograms per cubic meter in 2020, 180 micrograms per cubic meter in 2019 and 200 micrograms per cubic meter in 2018. Monsoon was clean in Delhi this year, but the summer was more polluted. The analysis indicates that this year, the monsoon season was the ‘cleanest’ for Delhi since 2018. The average PM 2.5 level during the monsoon season this year was 41 µg/m3, as against 44 µg/m3, 46 µg/m3 in 2020. 49 micrograms per cubic meter in 2019 and in 2018. This summer showed higher PM 2.5 levels than in 2020. The average PM 2.5 level was recorded at 57 micrograms per cubic meter in the summer of 2020, while a higher average of 79 micrograms per cubic meter was recorded this year.

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Good news for Delhi: Pollution lower, winter beginning on cleaner note

In India, Centre for Science and Environment published an analysis indicating a cleaner monsoon but a more polluted summer in Delphi, the capital of India, compared with the previous years. The analysis included particulate matter (PM) 2.5 levels evaluation from January 1, 2018, to October 15, 2021. When the monsoon retreats, PM levels go up, usually in September in 2018 and 2020, but in 2019 and this year the same threshold was met in October. Having observed the delay, analysts remarked that air has been cleaner in India recently than before. Consequently, analysts also reported lower particulate matter 2.5 levels in pre-winter season -- from September 1 to October 15 -- this year than previously, specifically 42 µg/m3 this year, lower than 62 µg/m3 in 2020, 51 µg/m3 in 2019, and 59 µg/m3 in 2018. Unlike pre-winter, higher PM 2.5 levels in summer have been observed, with an average PM 2.5 level of 57 µg/m3 last year and 79 µg/m3 this year during the summer period. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy at CSE, said, “The intense monsoon and delayed rains this year contributed to a relatively cleaner pre-winter season this year. What we are seeing now is the effect of the weather. The fire count is lower, but that could also be because of the rains delaying the fires. We cannot predict to what extent the pollution is going to bounce back this winter. We cannot take it for granted that a cleaner pre-winter period will assure a cleaner winter.”

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Delayed monsoon exit may mean ‘severe’ smog: Report

The findings are in line with remarks by other experts, who said they fear a last-minute spike could push Delhi’s air into severely polluted category, as reported by HT on Thursday. Intense and heavy monsoon spells this season have helped Delhi breathe relatively cleaner air this October compared to previous years, an air quality analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has shown. However, the analysis also warns that the late withdrawal of monsoon in north India could also lead to “severe peak in smog” during winter as farmers rush to burn crop remnants in the shorter window they will now have to clear their fields. The findings are in line with remarks by other experts, who said they fear a last-minute spike could push Delhi’s air into severely polluted category, as reported by HT on Thursday. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy), CSE, said the pre-winter air this year has been relatively cleaner, primarily because of the impact of intense and prolonged monsoon. “The objective was also to understand the starting line of the onset of the winter pollution season or pre-winter levels in this region, and also to understand the longer-term trends in seasonal variations,” she said. “While winter pollution cannot be predicted at this moment, the evidence of rising summer pollution in 2021 despite the lockdown and the evidence of a synchronised effect of winter pollution across the Indo-Gangetic Plain add to our concern. How soon and intensely the winter pollution will hit us will depend on the scale and speed of action across the region and leveraging it for more sustained air quality gains.” The analysis warned that while the prolonged and intense monsoon might have temporarily averted the city’s annual air emergency, this could also cause more intense smog episodes. “This winter we may get a much severe peak in smog, as farm stubble fire counts may get more concentrated due to the delayed effect of the rains. To counter this, action must be scaled up right away,” said Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager at the urban data analytic lab, CSE. The report said that normally, the first phase of winter smog is triggered by large-scale stubble burning in the agrarian states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. It said that the peak contribution of stubble smoke this year was registered on October 16 when 14% of Delhi’s PM2.5 was attributed to stubble fire smoke. “Heavy rains in the following days washed out the first build-up of the season. The smoke season generally peaks around the cusp of October and November, with contribution spiking to over 40% on the worst days,” said Somvanshi. In 2020, during the stubble burning season October 1-November 29, an average 12.2% per day of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution came from farm stubble fire smoke. This was considerably higher than in previous years – in 2019, contributions stood at 8.9% per day, while it was 10.9% per day in 2018. The findings of the report showed that the city-wide PM 2.5 average for the monsoon this year stood at 41ug/m3, with 96 days meeting the 24-hour standard. There was a progressive increase in the number of cleaner days with an average 6% annual improvement since 2018. In Delhi, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range recorded the lowest seasonal average of 33ug/m3, while the National Stadium had 100 days that met the daily standard. Anand Vihar, with a seasonal average of 61ug/m3 had 54 days meeting the standard and was the worst hotspot in the city,” the report read. It added. “The start of the monsoon’s retreat date almost perfectly coincides with the start of bad air days in Delhi—when the daily PM2.5 average breaches the standard and mostly remains above for rest of the season.”

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Air turns ‘moderate’ after two ‘poor’ days

Gurgaon: The city’s air improved on Friday with the air quality index being recorded in the ‘moderate’ category (164). Last two days, the index was in the ‘poor’ category. According to IMD, the wind direction has changed from northwest to southwest, leading to an improvement in the air quality. “We are witnessing southwest wind movement in the region and this will prevail for the next two days. So, the region is not likely to witness ‘severe’ AQI this October. However, air quality may dip from the first week of November,” said meteorologist Navdeep Dahiya. The Teri Gram station recorded an AQI of 206, at Sector 51 it was 232, 132 at Gwalpahari and 95 at Vikash Sadan on Friday, which was a significant improvement from the previous day. Gwal Pahari was recorded in 151. Teri Gram station and Sector 51 were recorded at 247 both, in Vikash Sadan the data was insufficient. Meanwhile, as the winter season sets in, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has analysed air quality trends so far in Delhi-NCR. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE, said, “Delhi and the larger region will require urgent action to prevent severe smog episodes as well as speed up deeper reforms to sustain the gains. Reduce traffic volume, eliminate waste burning, eliminate dirty industrial fuels, and implement stringent dust control measures, especially in the construction sector. Act now, and act decisively.” The analysis covers 156 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) spread across 67 cities in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. “This winter we may get a much severe peak in smog, as farm fire counts may get more concentrated due to the delayed effect of the rains,” said Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager at the urban data analytic lab at CSE..

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Winter season starting with better air than last 3 years: CSE

The winter season this year is starting with much cleaner air compared to the last three years in Delhi, the Nation Capital Region and the Indo-Gangetic Plain region, according to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). . The analysis covers 156 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations spread across 67 cities in Punjab, Chandigarh, Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. “The 2021 winter is starting with a cleaner threshold than the previous years, largely due to the intense and prolonged effect of the monsoons. How soon and intensely the winter pollution will hit us will depend on the scale and speed of action across the region and leveraging it for more sustained air quality gains,” said CSE executive director Anumita Roychowdhury. This year, the number of farm fires pre-winter has been less than half of the last year count, and the lower number correlates well with the lower pollution in Delhi-NCR, according to the analysis. But it has warned that the lower count, as reported by satellite imagery, could also be due to increased cloud cover, which prevents satellites from spotting fires. During September and October this year, the number of days with ‘satisfactory’ levels of air quality has increased to 90%, compared with 43% in 2018. However, it was 27% in 2020. A similar pattern is seen in the “moderately polluted” category, the CSE said. ‘Urgent action needed’ “Delhi and the larger region will require urgent action to prevent severe smog episodes and speed up deeper reforms to sustain the gains. Reduce traffic volume, eliminate waste burning, eliminate dirty industrial fuels, and implement stringent dust control measures, especially in the construction sector. Act now, and act decisively,” Ms. Roychowdhury said. Air pollution in the city spikes during the winter season mainly because of the combined effect of stubble-burning in the neighbouring States and climatic conditions, that lower the wind speed and mixing height, thus trapping pollutants.

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Delayed monsoon exit may mean ‘severe’ smog: Report

Intense and heavy monsoon spells this season have helped Delhi breathe relatively cleaner air this October compared to previous years, an air quality analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has shown. However, the analysis also warns that the late withdrawal of monsoon in north India could also lead to “severe peak in smog” during winter as farmers rush to burn crop remnants in the shorter window they will now have to clear their fields. The findings are in line with remarks by other experts, who said they fear a last-minute spike could push Delhi’s air into severely polluted category, as reported by HT on Thursday. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy), CSE, said the pre-winter air this year has been relatively cleaner, primarily because of the impact of intense and prolonged monsoon. “The objective was also to understand the starting line of the onset of the winter pollution season or pre-winter levels in this region, and also to understand the longer-term trends in seasonal variations,” she said. “While winter pollution cannot be predicted at this moment, the evidence of rising summer pollution in 2021 despite the lockdown and the evidence of a synchronised effect of winter pollution across the Indo-Gangetic Plain add to our concern. How soon and intensely the winter pollution will hit us will depend on the scale and speed of action across the region and leveraging it for more sustained air quality gains.” The analysis warned that while the prolonged and intense monsoon might have temporarily averted the city’s annual air emergency, this could also cause more intense smog episodes. “This winter we may get a much severe peak in smog, as farm stubble fire counts may get more concentrated due to the delayed effect of the rains. To counter this, action must be scaled up right away,” said Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager at the urban data analytic lab, CSE. The report said that normally, the first phase of winter smog is triggered by large-scale stubble burning in the agrarian states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. It said that the peak contribution of stubble smoke this year was registered on October 16 when 14% of Delhi’s PM2.5 was attributed to stubble fire smoke. “Heavy rains in the following days washed out the first build-up of the season. The smoke season generally peaks around the cusp of October and November, with contribution spiking to over 40% on the worst days,” said Somvanshi. In 2020, during the stubble burning season October 1-November 29, an average 12.2% per day of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution came from farm stubble fire smoke. This was considerably higher than in previous years – in 2019, contributions stood at 8.9% per day, while it was 10.9% per day in 2018. The findings of the report showed that the city-wide PM 2.5 average for the monsoon this year stood at 41ug/m3, with 96 days meeting the 24-hour standard. There was a progressive increase in the number of cleaner days with an average 6% annual improvement since 2018. “In Delhi, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range recorded the lowest seasonal average of 33ug/m3, while the National Stadium had 100 days that met the daily standard. Anand Vihar, with a seasonal average of 61ug/m3 had 54 days meeting the standard and was the worst hotspot in the city,” the report read. It added. “The start of the monsoon’s retreat date almost perfectly coincides with the start of bad air days in Delhi—when the daily PM2.5 average breaches the standard and mostly remains above for rest of the season.”

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Delhi braces for yet another air pollution-riddled winter

With air air pollution prone to contact harmful ranges, Delhiites might must face another yr of air pollution. Delhi’s air high quality remained within the average class on Friday. But in line with the forecast by World Air Quality Index venture, a non-profit venture began in 2007, the Air Quality Index (AQI) within the nationwide capital will worsen within the coming week, from a spread of 69-138 on Friday to 159-186 by Monday. Unhealthy class This projection relies on knowledge from the air high quality across the US Embassy in New Delhi, one of many cleaner components, with an AQI of 104 on Friday morning. Air high quality varies all through the day and throughout the town. At Anand Vihar, a busier space that homes a distinguished inter-State bus terminal, the AQI on Friday midday was 135, which is within the unhealthy class. This is regardless of the Delhi authorities’s varied steps geared toward curbing air air pollution within the State. These embody measures similar to stopping thermal energy crops and pushing industries to modify to gas-based gas. According to statements from the federal government, a few of these measures may have yielded optimistic outcomes. Another step they spotlight is the availability of round the clock energy to the nationwide capital that eliminates the usage of diesel gensets. Also Read : 'Instigator of Problems': Foreign Secy Shringla Says Quad Leaders Discussed Pakistan's Role in Afghanistan “The 2021 winter is starting with a cleaner threshold, compared to the previous years, largely due to the intense and prolonged effect of the monsoons. While winter pollution cannot be predicted at this moment, the evidence of rising summer pollution in 2021 despite the lockdown and the evidence of a synchronised effect of winter pollution across the Indo-Gangetic Plain add to our concern,” mentioned Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). How quickly the winter air pollution will hit will depend upon the size and pace of motion throughout the area and leveraging it for extra sustained air high quality good points, she added. Stubble burning It is feared that fireside crackers throughout Diwali in early November and stubble burning in Delhi’s neighbourhood will worsen the air air pollution scenario. Last week, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted that stubble burning in neighbouring States has been on an upswing, which is able to adversely influence the air high quality of Delhi. Also Read : Eye on 2023 polls, Karnataka CM may have 5 deputies | India News - Times of India Anticipating the identical, the State authorities reiterated a ban on fireplace crackers on Friday. Acting on stories of unlawful storage and gross sales of firecrackers being reported, the federal government has instructed all Sub Divisional Magistrates to organise anti-cracker campaigns all through Delhi. They have additionally been empowered to take motion in opposition to unlawful gross sales. The Delhi authorities, for now, appears to be banking on a few of their ongoing efforts to sort out air pollution. According to the State authorities, a smog tower in Central Delhi, which was arrange in August, has additionally proven good outcomes. “These will be studied more and maybe replicated in other parts of the city, as part of the plan; pollution hotspots have been identified, which will be monitored from the Green War Room,” mentioned an earlier assertion from the federal government. On Friday, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee signed an settlement with IIT-Kanpur for a venture geared toward figuring out sources and forecasting air air pollution in actual time. This is anticipated to assist establish the elements accountable for the spike in air air pollution at any spot in Delhi. It will even assist perceive the real-time influence of varied air pollution sources like autos, mud, biomass burning, stubble burning, and emissions from industries. Also Read : Centre working to resolve border issues among NE states: Nagaland CM Neiphiu Rio While saying the settlement, Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, mentioned that the State authorities will have the ability to take the mandatory actions to curb the sources of air pollution based mostly on the outcomes obtained from this venture.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Air Pollution in Delhi: दिल्ली-एनसीआर की हवा कब होगी दमघोंटू, सीएसई की रिपोर्ट में हुआ खुलासा

नई दिल्ली [रणविजय सिंह]। दिल्ली में इस बार पिछले तीन सालों में सबसे साफ हवा के साथ सर्दी शुरू हुई। क्योंकि मानसून अधिक देर तक सक्रिय रहा। लेकिन इस साल गर्मी में प्रदूषण अधिक रहा। यह बात सीएसई (सेंटर फार साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट) द्वारा जारी रिपोर्ट में यह बात कही गई है। सीएसई के विशेषज्ञ कहते हैं कि इस बार सर्दी की शुरुआत में भले ही प्रदूषण ज्यादा नहीं है लेकिन नवंबर के पहले सप्ताह में पराली का धुआं बढ़ने से प्रदूषण बढ़ सकता है। इसके रोकने के लिए यदि कारगर कदम नहीं उठाया गया तो पिछले साल के मुकाबले प्रदूषण ज्यादा भी हो सकता है। Ads by Jagran.TV आरोपित अस्पताल के बाहर खड़े हुए दोपहिया वाहनों को सबसे अधिक चोरी करते थे। पिता-पुत्र चला रहे थे वाहन चोर गिरोह, सात गिरफ्तार, 10 बाइक के उपकरण व पार्ट बरामद यह भी पढ़ें इस रिपोर्ट में सीएसई ने पंजाब, चंडीगढ़, हरियाणा, दिल्ली, राजस्थान, उत्तर प्रदेश, बिहार और पश्चिम बंगाल के 67 शहरों में फैले 156 वायु गुणवत्ता निगरानी केंद्रों से डाटा लेकर जनवरी 2018 से लेकर अक्टूबर 2021 तक की वायु गुणवत्ता का विश्लेषण किया है। इस रिपोर्ट के अनुसार वर्ष 2020-21 में सर्दी के मौसम में 23 दिन हवा की गुणवत्ता गंभीर या खतरनाक थी। इसके पहले वर्ष 2019-20 में 25 दिन व वर्ष 2018-19 में 34 दिन हवा की गुणवत्ता गंभीर या खतरनाक श्रेणी में थी। इस तरह सर्दी के मौसम में पीएम-2.5 के अधिक सांद्रता वाले दिनों की संख्या में गिरावट देखी गई है। वारदात के बाद तीनों हमलावर मौके से भाग गए। दिल्ली के मुखर्जीनगर इलाके में पार्क में टहलने को लेकर कहासनुी, दंपती को चाकू मारकर किया घायल यह भी पढ़ें वहीं इस साल मानसून के दौरान 96 दिन पीएम-2.5 का स्तर मानक के अनुरूप रहा। लेकिन गर्मी के मौसम में प्रदूषण अधिक था। सीएसई की कार्यकारी निदेशक अनुमिता रॉय चौधरी ने कहा कि गर्मी के मौसम में प्रदूषण बढ़ना भी चिंताजनक है। वहीं सर्दी में प्रदूषण की स्थिति इस बार पर निर्भर करेगी कि उसे रोकने के लिए कितने त्वरित कदम उठाए गए। सीएसई के अनुसार, अक्टूबर और नवंबर के आसपास प्रदूषण में पराली की भूमिका 40 फीसद तक पहुंच जाती है। इस बार बारिश अधिक दिनों तक होने के कारण अभी ज्यादा पराली नहीं जलाई गई है। ऐसे में इस बात की संभावना है कि एक साथ बड़े स्तर पर पराली जलाई जाएगी। ऐसे में नवंबर के पहले सप्ताह में इस बार पराली के धुएं के कारण प्रदूषण बहुत ज्यादा बढ़ सकता है।

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

CSE Latest Report, Delhi-NCR’s air may be most dangerous this year |इस साल दिल्ली-एनसीआर की हवा हो सकती है सबसे दमघोंटू, जानिए वजह

नई दिल्ली: आमतौर पर मानसून के बाद और सर्दियों की आहट के महीने अक्टूबर में दिल्ली वालों को जानलेवा हवा (Air Pollution) का सामना करना पड़ता है. हालांकि इस बार हालात पिछले सालों जितने बुरे नहीं हैं. हवा खराब लेकिन पहले से बेहतर अक्टूबर के महीने में हवा की क्वालिटी (Air Pollution) खराब तो हुई है. फिर भी यह मॉडरेट और खराब यानी Poor के बीच की क्वालिटी बनी हुई है. जबकि पिछले सालों में इस महीने एयर क्वालिटी इंडेक्स पर दिल्ली की हवा बेहद खराब यानी Very Poor स्तर में रही है. दिल्ली में इस साल पिछले 4 सालों का सबसे साफ मानसून सीजन भी दर्ज हुआ है. इस वर्ष अभी तक 96 दिन दिल्ली की हवा सांस लेने लायक रही है. जबकि पीएम PM 2.5 का स्तर 41 के औसत पर रहा है. वर्ष 2018 के मुकाबले हर वर्ष 6 फीसदी की दर से साफ दिनों में बढ़ोतरी हुई है. दिल्ली में कर्णी सिंह शूटिंग रेंज और नेशनल स्टेडियम में सबसे अच्छी हवा दर्ज की गई. कर्णी सिंह रेंज में पीएम 2.5 का स्तर 33 के औसत पर रहा. इसी तरह नेशनल स्टेडियम में 100 दिनों तक हवा का स्तर बेहतर बना रहा है. इस मौसम में भी दिल्ली में आनंद विहार का हाल सबसे खराब रहा. वहां केवल 54 दिनों तक ही साफ हवा रह पाई. जबकि मॉनसून के पूरे सीजन का औसत दिल्ली में 66 दिन था. पंजाब बाग बना प्रदूषण का हॉट स्पॉट आनंद विहार के अलावा पंजाबी बाग को भी दिल्ली में प्रदूषण (Air Pollution) का हॉट स्पॉट माना गया है. सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एन्वायरमेंट के आंकलन के मुताबिक इस बार अच्छी बारिश की वजह से अभी हवा का स्तर ठीक बना हुआ है. हालांकि सीएसई की एक्सपर्ट अनुमिता रॉय चौधरी का मानना है कि इससे ये अंदाजा नहीं लगाया जा सकता कि सर्दियों में दिल्ली एनसीआर की हवा कैसी रहेगी. हालांकि दिल्ली की गर्मियां इस साल पिछले साल के मुकाबले थोड़ी खराब रही हैं. पिछले साल संपूर्ण लॉकडाउन की वजह से दिल्ली में हवा (Air Pollution) गर्मियों में भी अच्छी थी लेकिन इस साल लॉकडाउन के फायदे से लोग महरुम रह गए और वो असर खत्म हो गया. 2020 में गर्मियों में पीएम 2.5 का औसत 79 था जो 90 दिनों तक बना रहा. इस वर्ष केवल 51 दिन ऐसे थे जब ये औसत बरकरार रह पाया. दिल्ली की हवा खराब करने में पराली का योगदान हर साल 10 अक्टूबर के आसपास खेतों में पराली जलने का असर दिल्ली में दिखने लगता है. इस वर्ष भी ऐसा ही हुआ. अभी तक 16 अक्टूबर के दिन पराली का असर सबसे ज्यादा देखा गया है. सरकारी एप सफर के आंकड़ों के मुताबिक 16 अक्टूबर को दिल्ली की हवा खराब करने में पराली का योगदान 14 प्रतिशत था. अक्टूबर खत्म होने और नवंबर की शुरुआत में ये योगदान हर साल 40 प्रतिशत तक का हो जाता है, जो दिल्ली के हालात सबसे खराब कर देता है. ये वही दिन होते हैं, जब लोगों के लिए दिल्ली एनसीआर में बंद घरों में भी सांस लेना दूभर हो जाता है. एक्सपर्ट्स का मानना है कि वो बुरे दिन आने वाले हैं. दिल्ली एनसीआर में पीएम 2.5 के अलावा कार्बन मोनोक्सॉइड और ओजोन गैस भी काफी प्रदूषण करती हैं. लोगों का दम घोंट देता है पराली का धुआं 2020 में 1 अक्टूबर से 29 नवंबर के बीच दिल्ली में मौजूद हवा के प्रदूषण वाले PM 2.5 के कणों में रोज़ाना 12 प्रतिशत योगदान पराली के धुएं का रहा. जबकि 2019 में इसी दौरान ये आंकड़ा 8.9 प्रतिशत था. 2018 में 10.9 प्रतिशत प्रतिदिन पराली के धुएं ने दिल्ली की हवा खराब करने में अपना योगदान दिया. गौर करने वाली बात ये है कि दिल्ली की हवा (Air Pollution) खराब करने में पराली का योगदान हर साल कई गुना बढ़ा है. अगर औसत देखें तो 2018 में औसतन दिल्ली का प्रदूषण पराली का धुआं रोज 12 प्रतिशत की दर से बढ़ा रहा था जबकि2020 में ये बढ़कर 36 प्रतिशत हो गया. यानी पिछले साल सर्दियों के मौसम में पराली की वजह से दिल्ली में 36 प्रतिशत प्रदूषण बढ़ गया. कैसी थी पिछले साल की सर्दियां? पिछले साल प्रदूषण बाकी वर्षों से कम रहा है. 2020–21 की सर्दियों में 23 दिन दिल्ली एनसीआर की हवा 23 दिन Severe या बेहद गंभीर कैटेगरी में रही. 2019-20 में 25 दिन और 2018-19 में 34 दिन ऐसा रहा. ये वो दिन होते हैं जब दिल्ली में GRAP यानी Graded Response Action Plan लागू रहता है. इस बार दिल्ली में 14 लोकेशन को प्रदूषण (Air Pollution) का हॉट स्पॉट माना गया है. इनमें से 50 प्रतिशत जगहों में पिछले साल के मुकाबले हवा बेहतर रही है. लेकिन 3 नई जगहें जुड़ी हैं. राजस्थान का भिवाड़ी, हरियाणा का मानेसर और फरीदाबाद का सेक्टर 11 हवा के लिहाज़ से नए प्रदूषित हॉट स्पॉट बन गए हैं. वज़ीरपुर और साहिबाबाद में हालात बेहतर हुए हैं. ये भी पढ़ें- जज ही निकला रेपिस्ट, कोर्ट ने बलात्कार और धोखाधड़ी का ठहराया दोषी सर्दी में फैल सकता है तेज कोहरा सीएसई (CSE Latest Report) ने ये आंकलन 1 जनवरी 2018 से 15 अक्टूबर 2021 के PM 2.5 के स्तर के आधार पर किया है. इसके लिए देश के 67 शहरों में लगे 156 ambient air quality monitoring stations का डाटा देखा गया. हालांकि रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक बारिश का असर देर से आया है, इसलिए इस बार स्मॉग यानी दमघोंटू प्रदूषण (Air Pollution) का असर पहले सालों के मुकाबले और खराब हो सकता है. इस बार बारिश का असर देर तक रहा है. इसलिए कोहरे के हालात नहीं बने. लेकिन इस बार तेज़ सर्दी आते आते बारिश का असर खत्म हो चुका होगा. ऐसे में तेज़ सर्दी में गहरा कोहरा मिलकर खतरनाक स्मॉग बना सकते हैं. इससे सावधान रहने और अभी एक्शन लेने की ज़रुरत है.

• Clean Air & Sustainable Mobility

Monsoon 2021 more polluted than last in Kolkata

A report was prepared on the basis of data generated by the Union environment ministry between July 1 and October 14, 2021 Kolkata had a much polluted monsoon this year compared with 2020, according to a report published by the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment on Friday. The report was prepared on the basis of data generated by the Union environment ministry between July 1 and October 14, 2021. ADVERTISEMENT According to an analysis by the environment advocacy organisation, the concentration of highly toxic air pollutant PM (particulate matter) 2.5 in the city’s air increased by 56 per this monsoon (25.14 microgram per cubic metre) compared with the monsoon in 2020 (16.07 microgram per cubic metre). Kolkata has recorded the maximum rise in the PM 2.5 level between the two monsoons in the state. Except Siliguri, all cities in Bengal have recorded a rise in the PM 2.5 level. The study, conducted in a number of cities in the Indo-Gangetic plain, shows that Delhi’s PM 2.5 pollution has reduced marginally compared with last year. PM 2.5 is the ultrafine pollutant that can reach the inner crevices of the lungs and trigger a host of critical diseases, including cancer. Avikal Somvanshi, one of the experts who prepared the report, told this newspaper that the PM 2.5 level in Kolkata had increased despite the city receiving nearly 43 per cent more rain compared with the last monsoon. “Under normal circumstances, more rain means more washout of the pollutants and hence, less pollution. The fact that Kolkata has recorded 56 per cent higher PM 2.5 pollution despite having comparatively more rainfall this year, means that the city has generated significantly higher pollution this year,” said Anumita Roy Chowdhury of the CSE, who led the study. State pollution control board chairman Kalyan Rudra, however, pointed out that the rainfall in the city mostly happened within a short period and was difficult to be correlated with the pollution surge. “I have not seen the report but we have to keep in mind that many activities resumed this monsoon. Those were suspended during the last monsoon (because of Covid curbs),” the official said.