Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs Chinmaya IAS Academy – Current Affairs
Related Articles
Air quality turns ‘very poor’ ashaze engulfs city
The Capital continues to battle dangerous levels of pollution and on Sunday recorded its worst score on the Air Quality Index (AQI) for the season. The city registered an average AQI of 366, which falls in the ‘very poor’ category, based on the reading of 32 monitoring stations. The Capital was engulfed in haze throughout the day. Data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed several areas in the NCR, including Gurugram and Ghaziabad, recorded AQI in the ‘severe’ category.
Stubble burning
The PM2.5 level in the city was recorded at 236 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3), the highest of the season so far. The PM10 level stood at 394 ug/m3, as per CPCB data. Safe limits for PM2.5 and PM10 are 60 ug/m3 and 100 ug/m3 respectively. Environmentalists said that the dip in air quality was not just due to localised factors such as construction dust, vehicular pollution, but also regional factors such as stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. The CPCB has issued health advisories and recommended stringent measures from November 1 to 10 forecasting further deterioration in air quality ahead of Diwali. Some of the recommendations include shutting down coal and biomass factories, increased inspection by Transport Department to check polluting vehicles and reducing traffic congestion in the NCR. The Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) also issued a heath advisory urging people with heart or lung disease to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion in the open. It also recommended that people go for shorter walks instead of jogs, keep windows closed and wear masks. SAFAR stated that pollution levels are likely to increase but will not touch ‘severe’ level for the next three days. “This is owing to stagnation conditions forced by calm winds with low ventilation and moderate stubble injection,” stated SAFAR.
‘#righttobreathe’
On Twitter, #righttobreathe trended where Delhiites used the hashtag to express concern over the rising pollution. “One can escape the epidemic and water pollution. But there is no escape from air pollution. Air is everywhere,” a user Amul Atri said on Twitter. People also posted pictures of haze and smog on Facebook and Instagram with the hash tag of #righttobreathe.
Source : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/pollution-hits-a-high-in-delhi/article25355715.ece
