Delhi-NCR Continues Grappling With ‘Severe’ AQI on Monday; Vehicular Bans and Work From Home Enforced

Despite images from NASA's Worldview satellite showing a 740% spike in farm fires on October 29 since October 25, farmers are reluctant to put out the fires. This paddy straw burning, combined with meteorological conditions, vehicular emissions, firecrackers and other local pollution sources contribute to hazardous air quality levels in Delhi-NCR this year as well.

The consequences of human-induced pollution, along with nighttime temperatures having dipped to 13.5°C in the city, have a literal chokehold on the residents of Delhi-NCR. And the air quality in the region has turned severe.

The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi touched an unimaginable 500 on Friday, blanketing the city in toxic haze. The veritable gas chamber-like situation not just left people gasping for breath, but is also causing eyes irritation and itchy throats.

Delhi’s air quality touched the severe category once again on Monday, its citizens waking up to smog-covered skies. According to SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research), the city recorded an overall average AQI of 471 this morning. The national capital’s AQI has since improved to 411, but it is still in the severe category.

For context, an 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', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal called a high-level meeting at the Delhi Secretariat to address the issue on Monday. There will be discussions to implement GRAP-4, the final stage of their pollution control plan. Measures will be aimed at curbing pollution levels and safeguarding the health of residents, particularly in the face of the upcoming winter season when air pollution tends to worsen.

Stringent measures as Delhi's air quality turns critical

The ban on the entry of polluting trucks and commercial four-wheelers into Delhi will be implemented under GRAP-4, and vehicles running on compressed natural gas (CNG), electric vehicles, and those compliant with Bharat Stage VI emission norms from other states will be permitted entry into the city. All medium and heavy goods vehicles that aren’t required for essential services will be prohibited from plying within Delhi. This move is expected to significantly reduce vehicular emissions, a major contributor to the region's air pollution, the Times of India reported.

In view of the worsening air quality, both government and private sector employees have been advised to work from home. About 50% of the office-going staff have been mandated to work from home in hopes of reducing the number of commuters and vehicles on the road during peak hours.

Primary schools will remain closed until November 10 while the students of Class 6 to 12 are being given the option of shifting to online mode.

Meanwhile, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has proposed a probable solution to address the problem of air pollution in Delhi and its neighbouring regions: creating ‘artificial rains’. This measure, made possible by a technology called cloud seeding, helps clear pollutants and dust from the air. However, cloud seeding is not an exact science yet and it remains to be seen if it can work in pre-winter months or at scale.

Health advisory to protect against air pollution

While the government is working to limit air pollution in the city, SAFAR has advised citizens to follow some measures to minimise the impact of the poor air quality:

• Avoiding all outdoor physical activity
• Stop any activity level if you experience any unusual coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing, breathing difficulty, or fatigue and consult a physician
• Keep doors and windows closed
• If the air conditioner provides a fresh air intake option, close it
• Avoid burning anything, such as wood, candles or even incense
• Keep the room clean — don't vacuum. Do wet mopping frequently
• Masks known as N-95 or P-100 respirators may only help if you go out
• Do not rely on dust masks for protection

(​With inputs from TOI and IANS)

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