First the good news. Stubble burning in the farms in neighboring states, which i .. Read more at: https://auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/brace-for-severe-smog-in-coming-days-consider-counter-measures-like-reducing-traffic-on-road-says-cse/87207385
It correlates well with the lower pollution level in Delhi-NCR. First the good news. Stubble burning in the farms in neighboring states, which is a major contributor to Delhi‘s winter air pollution, has been less than half in the run up to the cold this year so far as compared to last year. This alongwith an extraordinarily wet monsoon which also withdrew later than usual meant Delhi got its cleanest air during the monsoons and early autumn in the last four years. Now the bad part. The delayed withdrawal may have impacted stubble burning in the northern states but is likely to pick up in the next few weeks. Concentrated over a shorter span, it would be more intense which may mean more severe peak in pollution for the capital city. Brace yourself, says Delhi based NGO Centre for Science and Environment, which put out a study analysing air pollution trends in Delhi and the broader Indo-Gangetic belt over the last few years. Delhi and the larger region will require urgent action to prevent severe smog episodes. Reduce traffic volume, eliminate waste burning, eliminate dirty industrial fuels, and implement stringent dust control measures especially in the construction sector Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, Research & 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,” says Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE. “Delhi and the larger region will require urgent action to prevent severe smog episodes. Reduce traffic volume, eliminate waste burning, eliminate dirty industrial fuels, and implement stringent dust control measures — especially in the construction sector.”The extraordinarily wet monsoon this year has translated into the cleanest 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. So far in the post monsoon autumnal period, things are looking good. 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. It correlates well with the lower pollution level in Delhi-NCR. Distinct trends are emerging over the years. 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,” says Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager at the Urban Data Analytic Lab at CSE. “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.” Distinct trends are emerging over the years. 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.. Avikal Somvanshi, Programme Manager, Urban Data Analytic Lab, CSE In 2020, during the stubble burning season October 1-November 29, an average 12.2 per cent per day of Delhi’s PM2.5 pollution came from farm stubble fire smoke. This was considerably higher than previous years – in 2019, contributions stood at 8.9 per cent per day, while it was 10.9 per cent per day in 2018. On an average, while the 2020-21 winter season was 5 per cent worse in major NCR cities and Delhi compared to the 2019-20 season, the peak pollution was 13 per cent lower. Some of it can be misleading. In 2019-20 for example, even though the average level during the winter was less than in other winters, the peak daily pollution was considerably higher across all major NCR cities. This was due to the September-October rains that pushed and concentrated the farm stubble burning towards the end of October and start of November.
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.
These two regions reported high pollution levels during the season, found a recent analysis of air quality trends conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment Faridabad and Manesar in the National Capital Region (NCR) were identified as pollution hotspots this monsoon as when most of NCR breathed clean air, these two regions reported high pollution levels during the season, found a recent analysis of air quality trends conducted by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), which released the data on Friday evening. The study found Faridabad’s Sector 11 had the worst air this monsoon in the NCR with 64 ug/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter) of pollutants. The analysis is a continuation of the air quality tracker initiative of the Urban Data Analytics Lab of the CSE that was started last winter. The objective of this new analysis is to understand the starting line of the onset of pollution during the pre-winter levels in this region. The analysis assessed the annual and seasonal trends in PM2.5 concentration from January 1, 2018 to October 15, 2021. As part of the study, 14 new locations in NCR were identified last winter as emerging hotspots, half of which registered lower PM 2.5 concentration this monsoon compared to city and regional averages. Three more locations, including Manesar and Faridabad’s Sector 11, emerged as potential pollution hotspots this monsoon. The analysis shows these locations show significantly higher seasonal average compared to the rest of the region. Avikal Somvanshi, programme manager for sustainable cities with CSE, said, “During monsoon, there are no external factors, such as temperature drop and stubble burning that come into play during winter, that will affect the air quality. Still Faridabad, Manesar and other cities of Haryana had high pollution levels. Usually, the rain washes down all pollutants, but higher levels indicate that local sources of pollution are not being controlled.” “If during monsoon, high levels of pollution are being reported when most of Delhi-NCR had good air quality, it will be very difficult to meet targets during winter, when external factors affect the air quality,” he added. According to the 2009 National Ambient Air Quality Standards, the permissible PM2.5 level over a year-long period is 40µg/m³--eight times more than the revised threshold set by the World Health Organisation. The seasonal average of air pollutants in Faridabad (42), Gurugram (44), Manesar (51) and Dharuhera (43) during monsoon this year (from July 1 till October 15) was higher than the annual average. S Narayanan, member secretary of Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), said, “I am yet to go through the data. I will not be able to comment before studying it. All measures are being taken to ensure that pollution levels are under control during the winter season.” Meanwhile, the air quality in Gurugram was in the moderate category. The Central Pollution Control Board’s air quality bulletin showed Gurugram had an air quality index (AQI) of 164 on Friday. With an AQI of 183, Faridabad district also recorded moderate air quality, though slightly poorer than Gurugram. Over the next two days, the city is likely to receive one or two spells of rain, which might improve the air quality. According to the weather bulletin issued on Friday by the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, the air quality in the national capital territory will remain ‘moderate’ on Saturday and is likely to improve on Sunday, owing to rainfall and strong winds. The contribution of biomass burning in PM2.5 concentration is also likely to be less than 5% and reduce significantly over the weekend.
Delhi: Average PM2.5 level for monsoon, pre-winter season lowest in 4 years NEW DELHI: An analysis done by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) says the average PM2.5 concentration of monsoon and pre-winter season (July 1 to October 15) was lowest in 2021 compared with the last four years.Track the pollution level in your city However, a delayed start of winter with multiple spurts of rain, as seen in 2019-20, is similar to the conditions prevailing this year. It can be expected that smog might have higher peak pollution this year if special steps are not taken to reduce the pollution from the sources. As Delhi recorded excess rainfall, it resulted in the cleanest monsoon in the last four years. The city-wide average for the monsoon and pre-winter season this year stood at 41 micrograms 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% annual improvement since 2018, said CSE. Though winter began on October 15 at a cleaner level, CSE’s analysis stated that 2021-22 might have higher peak pollution. “On average, the 2020-21 winter season was 5% worse among the major NCR cities and Delhi compared with last year, but the peak pollution on average was 13% lower,” it added. “Even though the average level during 2019-20 was lesser than other winters, the peak daily pollution was considerably higher across all major NCR cities. This can be attributed to September and October rainfall that pushed and concentrated the farm stubble burning towards the end of October and start of November when winter conditions were turning more adverse,” CSE’s report further stated. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, CSE, said, “The winter of 2021 is starting with a cleaner threshold compared with the previous years, largely due to the intense and prolonged effect of the monsoon. 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.” However, summer 2021 was more polluted as the seasonal average rose to 79 ug/m3 and the number of days meeting the prescribed standard was 51, as against 90 in 2020. “PM2.5 levels this summer have almost returned to the 2019 levels despite the partial lockdowns,” mentioned the report. The report also said that particulate pollution dominated the daily pollution in Delhi during pre-winter season (September 1 to October 15), but other gaseous pollutants, like ozone and carbon monoxide, had become the lead pollutants along with particulate pollution of the day due to washout effect of rain.
Analysis shows this is due to intense and prolonged effect of monsoon this year 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.
PM 2.5 levels begin to breach the 24-hour standard resulting in bad air days when the monsoon retreats. This began in September in 2018 and 2020, while it was delayed to October in 2019 and 2021. Meteorological conditions causing an extended period of rainfall this year have meant that the 2021 winter is beginning with a “cleaner threshold” compared to previous years, according to an analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). The analysis assesses PM 2.5 levels from January 1, 2018, to October 15, 2021. PM 2.5 levels begin to breach the 24-hour standard resulting in bad air days when the monsoon retreats. This began in September in 2018 and 2020, while it was delayed to October in 2019 and 2021. The period from September 1 to October 15 is considered to be ‘pre-winter’ in the analysis. According to figures provided by CSE, the average PM 2.5 level for the pre-winter season this year was 42 µg/m3, lower than 62 µg/m3 in 2020, 51 µg/m3 in 2019, and 59 µg/m3 in 2018. 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.” CSE’s analysis of fire count data from the NASA satellites indicates that fire count in the pre-winter season this year is less than half of what was recorded last year. This is attributed to the rain spells witnessed this year or cloud cover which may have hampered satellite imagery. The fire count (aggregate for Punjab and Haryana) for the pre-winter season last year was 5,078, as opposed to 2,351 this year. In 2019, it stood at 2,299, up from 1,765 in 2018. The total count for the winter season in 2020 was 75,600, a rise from 48,155 in 2019, and 63,979 in 2018. The contribution of farm stubble burning to air quality began around October 10, 2021, same as in 2018 and 2020, the analysis noted. This contribution peaked on October 16 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 PM 2.5 levels can go up to 40%. The average contribution per day last year was 12.2%, higher than 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 level was 194 µg/m3 in 2020, 180 µg/m3 in 2019, and 200 µg/m3 in 2018. Delhi saw a cleaner monsoon this year, but a more polluted summer. The analysis indicates that this year, the monsoon season was the ‘cleanest’ for Delhi since 2018. The average PM 2.5 levels over the monsoon season this year was 41 µg/m3, compared to 44 µg/m3 in 2020, 46 µg/m3 in 2019 and 49 µg/m3 in 2018. The summer this year showed higher PM 2.5 levels than 2020. Summer in 2020 saw an average PM 2.5 level of 57 µg/m3, while this year recorded a higher average of 79 µg/m3.
Meteorological situations inflicting an prolonged interval of rainfall this yr have meant that the 2021 winter is starting with a “cleaner threshold” in comparison with earlier years, based on an evaluation by the Centre for Science and Atmosphere (CSE). The evaluation assesses PM 2.5 ranges from January 1, 2018, to October 15, 2021. PM 2.5 ranges start to breach the 24-hour normal leading to dangerous air days when the monsoon retreats. This started in September in 2018 and 2020, whereas it was delayed to October in 2019 and 2021. The interval from September 1 to October 15 is taken into account to be ‘pre-winter’ within the evaluation. In accordance with figures supplied by CSE, the typical PM 2.5 stage for the pre-winter season this yr was 42 µg/m3, decrease than 62 µg/m3 in 2020, 51 µg/m3 in 2019, and 59 µg/m3 in 2018. Anumita Roychowdhury, government director, analysis and advocacy at CSE, mentioned, “The extreme monsoon and delayed rains this yr contributed to a comparatively cleaner pre-winter season this yr. What we’re seeing now’s the impact of the climate. The fireplace rely is decrease, however that may be due to the rains delaying the fires. We can not predict to what extent the air pollution goes to bounce again this winter. We can not take it with no consideration {that a} cleaner pre-winter interval will guarantee a cleaner winter.” CSE’s evaluation of fireside rely knowledge from the NASA satellites signifies that fireplace rely within the pre-winter season this yr is lower than half of what was recorded final yr. That is attributed to the rain spells witnessed this yr or cloud cowl which can have hampered satellite tv for pc imagery. The fireplace rely (combination for Punjab and Haryana) for the pre-winter season final yr was 5,078, versus 2,351 this yr. In 2019, it stood at 2,299, up from 1,765 in 2018. The whole rely for the winter season in 2020 was 75,600, an increase from 48,155 in 2019, and 63,979 in 2018. The contribution of farm stubble burning to air high quality started round October 10, 2021, similar as in 2018 and 2020, the evaluation famous. This contribution peaked on October 16 this yr when 14% of PM 2.5 ranges in Delhi had been attributed to stubble burning by the SAFAR monitoring system. The contribution of stubble burning to PM 2.5 ranges can go as much as 40%. The typical contribution per day final yr was 12.2%, increased than 8.9% per day in 2019, and 10.9% per day in 2018. Final winter, PM 2.5 ranges had been within the extreme class for 23 days, down from 25 in 2019-20, and 34 days within the winter of 2018-19. The winter seasonal common PM 2.5 stage was 194 µg/m3 in 2020, 180 µg/m3 in 2019, and 200 µg/m3 in 2018. Delhi noticed a cleaner monsoon this yr, however a extra polluted summer time. The evaluation signifies that this yr, the monsoon season was the ‘cleanest’ for Delhi since 2018. The typical PM 2.5 ranges over the monsoon season this yr was 41 µg/m3, in comparison with 44 µg/m3 in 2020, 46 µg/m3 in 2019 and 49 µg/m3 in 2018. The summer time this yr confirmed increased PM 2.5 ranges than 2020. Summer time in 2020 noticed a median PM 2.5 stage of 57 µg/m3, whereas this yr recorded the next common of 79 µg/m3.
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PM 2.5 levels begin to exceed 24-hour mark when monsoon retreats, resulting in dry air days. This period began in September 2018 and 2020, and was postponed to October 2019 and 2021. According to a study by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), meteorological conditions resulting in an extended period of rain this year have led to a cleaner threshold for the 2021 winter than in previous years.When the monsoon retreats, PM 2.5 levels begin to exceed the 24-hour mark, resulting in dry air days.This period began in September 2018 and 2020, and was postponed to October 2019 and 2021.The time frame is considered to be pre-winter in the analysis. The intensive monsoon and delayed rainfall this year, according to Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy at CSE, resulted in a much more productive pre-winter season this year.The weather is influencing what we are seeing today.The fire count is lower, but it could also be due to the rains that are halting the fires.We can't predict how much air pollution will rebound this winter. This year, the fire count in the pre-winter season is less than half of what was recorded last year.This may be due to the rain spells that we saw this year or cloud cover, which may have hampered satellite imagery.The fire count for the pre-winter season was 5,078, versus 2,351 this year (as reported by Punjab and Haryana).It stood at 2,299 feet in 2019, up from 1,765 feet in 2018. The contribution of farm stubble burning to air quality started around October 10, 2021, the same as in 2018 and 2020.This contribution reached its peak on October 16, when 14% of PM 2.5 levels in Delhi was attributed to stubble burning by the SAFAR monitoring system.The contribution of stubble burning to PM 2.5 levels can rise to 40%.Last year, the average contribution per day was 12.2%, up from 8.9% in 2019 and 10.9% in 2018. The average winter seasonal PM 2.5 level was 194 gm3 in 2020, 180 gm3 in 2019, and 200 gm3 in 2018.According to the results, the monsoon season in Delhi was the cleanest for Delhi since 2018.Compared to 44 gm3 in 2020, 46 gm3 in 2019 and 49 gm3 in 2018, the average PM 2.5 levels were 41 gm3 for the monsoon season this year.The summer of this year saw higher PM 2.5 levels than predicted.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”