Air pollution has increased in Delhi-NCR as Diwali approaches. The air quality in Delhi remained in the ‘poor’ category and in Noida in the ‘very poor’ category. The air quality of Delhi-NCR is likely to deteriorate further on Monday. The air standards agencies have forecast that the air health may deteriorate to very poor to severe category by late night of Diwali. On the other hand, the air in all the cities of NCR including Delhi has been in the poor category on Sunday.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI of Delhi remained in the poor category with 259 on Sunday. At the same time, the air of Ghaziabad was the worst with an AQI of 270. Faridabad had the lowest AQI of 200 in NCR. At the same time, people lit firecrackers in joy on the victory of the Indian team in the India-Pakistan cricket match on Sunday. Experts say that despite the ban in Delhi, crackers are being burnt. In such a situation, there is a possibility of bursting of crackers on the night of Diwali. If this happens, the health of the air can reach the critical category.
Incidents of stubble burning recorded at 850 places
With the arrival of Diwali, the incidents of stubble burning have started increasing. According to the Centre’s air standards body Safar India, stubble burning incidents have been recorded at 850 places in northern India in the last 24 hours. In such a situation, its share in pollution can be recorded up to five percent.
Wind direction will change in next two days
According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), on Sunday, the wind direction was north and the wind speed was five kilometers per hour. In the next two days, it will change towards north-east and north-south. Also the wind speed will be less. On Sunday, the level of mixing height was 1750 meters and the ventilation index was five thousand square meters per second. In the next 24 hours, the mixing height can be reduced to 1500 meters and the ventilation index can be recorded up to six thousand square meters per second. Ventilation index of 6,000 square meters per second or less and wind speed less than 10 kilometers per hour helps in the accumulation of pollutants, thereby increasing the level of pollution.
Delhi-NCR’s AQI
Delhi- 259
Faridabad-200
Ghaziabad- 270
Greater Noida – 202
Gurugram- 251
Noida- 236