Delhi Pollution: Ventilating Winds to Bring Marginal Improvement in NCR Air Quality this Weekend

On Friday, Delhiites woke up to a misty morning, with the overall air quality index (AQI) standing at a ‘very poor’ 348—rising slightly from Thursday’s 330.

However, areas like Punjabi Bagh, Shadipur, Mundka, Wazirpur, M Rohini, Jahangirpuri and Bawana have continued to report ‘severe’ level AQIs of more than 400 on Friday morning.

AQIs between 401-500 are categorised as ‘severe’, and getting exposed to such harmful air can seriously impact those with existing diseases while also affecting healthy people’s well-being. Further, AQIs between 301-400 are classified as ‘very poor’, and can cause respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.

Throughout this week, Delhi’s overall AQI has remained between ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’. But now, some respite might finally be on the cards this weekend, as the prevalence of strong winds might flush-out the pollutants from the landlocked capital.

The SAFAR model echoes this forecast, stating that from November 20 onwards, the surface winds are likely to gain strength, resulting in effective dispersion of pollutants and improvements in overall air quality.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Earth Sciences has predicted that Delhi-NCR’s overall air quality might improve slightly, with its AQI dropping to the lower end of the 'very poor' category come Saturday.

Meanwhile, the capital’s maximum temperature on Friday is expected to settle at 26°C, with a minimum of 11°C. These low mercury levels are also contributing to the pollution issues in Delhi.

However, in the coming days, the minimum temperatures may drop further to 9°C. If the winds fail to persist, the scope of breathing fresh air will remain low even in the coming week.

Authorities try to curb pollution

To protect people’s health and curb pollution levels, the government is taking several measures by limiting activities that spike pollution. The pollution season, and its growing intensity, has prompted the government to shut schools along with the proposal of lockdown-like restrictions for the weekend.

Further, the Delhi government also announced plans to hire 1,000 CNG buses for the capital. Meanwhile, the neighbouring state of Haryana has imposed an odd-even rule to curtail pollution. Work from home has been imposed for 100% of the government staff till November 21.

In addition, a major source of pollution, thermal plants, are also under the scanner. Six of the 11 power plants in the 300 km radius of Delhi have been asked to shut down activities. There has also been a ban on construction activity till November 21.

Earlier this week, the Commission for Air Quality Management for Delhi and Surrounding Areas (CAQM) directed a ban on entry of trucks in Delhi till November 21, except those carrying essential goods. No diesel or petrol vehicles more than 15 years old are allowed to run on Delhi roads, while visibly polluting vehicles are stopped with stricter checks of PUC certificates.

The government has also deployed anti-smog guns, water sprinklers and augmentation of dust suppressants thrice a day.

(With inputs from IANS)

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