Delhi's air quality deteriorates to 'very poor' on Diwali

Delhis air quality continued to deteriorate remaining in the very poor category on Diwali with levels expected to worsen to the severe category due to bursting of firecrackers at nightDelhiites woke up Thursday to a sky shrouded in a thick layer of smog The air in Anand Vihar a major terminus was extremely polluted with the AQI in the severe categoryThe citys 24hour average Air Quality Index AQI was recorded at 328 at 4 pm up from 307 on Wednesday when the city celebrated Chhoti DiwaliIn 2023 Delhi residents enjoyed clearer skies and abundant sunshine on Diwali with an AQI of 218 compared to 312 in 2022 382 in 2021 414 in 2020 337 in 2019 281 in 2018 319 in 2017 and 431 in 2016 according to the Central Pollution Control Board dataLast year a decrease in stubbleburning incidents and rain before Diwali along with favourable meteorological conditions prevented the national capital from turning into a gas chamber after the festivalThe pollutant PM25 level was recorded at 145 micrograms per cubic metre at 3 pm according to the dataPM25 is fine particulate matter capable of penetrating deep into the respiratory system and triggering health problemsIn accordance with the practice of the past four years Delhi has announced a comprehensive ban on the manufacture storage sale and the use of firecrackers in the cityIn Delhis neighbouring areas like Ghaziabad Gurugram Greater Noida and Noida the air quality was slightly better and recorded in the poor categoryIn contrast Faridabads air quality was moderate with a reading of 181 according to the CPCB dataThirtyeight monitoring stations showed that the air was in the very poor category across the cityAn AQI between zero and 50 is considered good 51 and 100 satisfactory 101 and 200 moderate 201 and 300 poor 301 and 400 very poor 401 and 450 severe and above 450 severe plusOn Diwali eve Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced that 377 teams had been formed to enforce the ban on firecrackers across the national capitalHe said that authorities are in touch with the resident welfare associations market associations and social organisations to spread awarenessPolice teams have been formed to ensure that firecrackers are not burstLegal action will be taken against those found bursting crackers They may also be booked under the relevant sections of the BNS Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for violating government orders an officer saidUnfavourable meteorological conditions combined with vehicular emissions paddystraw burning firecrackers and other local pollution sources contribute to hazardous air quality levels in the DelhiNCR during wintersAccording to a Delhi Pollution Control Committee analysis the city experiences peak pollution from November 1 to 15 when the number of stubbleburning incidents in Punjab and Haryana increasesThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever