Diwali celebrations have severely deteriorated the air quality in New Delhi. On Diwali night, Delhi and NCR choked as the pollution levels jumped 42 times higher than the normal. Besides Diwali revelry and burning of firecrackers, the steady winds are also to be blamed for the suspended pollutants in the air.
According to reports by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, on Sunday the PM 10 readings spiked 42 times higher than the normal national ambiance air quality standard at RK Puram. Late night, the PM 10 jumped to 4,273 µg/m³ while the PM 2.5 touched a disturbing high of 748 µg/m³.
This is alarming as the permissible level of PM 10 is 100 µg/m³ while PM 2.5 is 60 µg/m³. Respiratory problems are bound to aggravate in case the pollution levels rise beyond the permissible levels as the ultra-fine dust particulates can embed themselves deep into the lungs of humans.
Check out the live status of air pollution level across Delhi here.
Dry northwesterly winds, which were prevailing for many days in Northwest India, were replaced by light winds from the east/ southeast direction. This increased the moisture levels significantly. Moreover, on Sunday evening the winds were very calm. As temperatures are also quite low at present, the air near the ground has condensed. Cold air generally has higher capacity to hold the moisture and pollutants.
Thus, smog has engulfed the national capital region and this situation is here to stay. As the winds are very light and almost calm, pollution caused last night throughout Delhi and NCR will remain suspended in the environment. Pollution levels will reduce only when strong winds start blowing over the region.
The blanket of haze and smog in Delhi on Monday morning seemed toxic and people complained of zero visibility.
Delhi full of Smog this morning. Thanks to pollution caused in the name of Diwali. pic.twitter.com/3HpM2nS0k0
— Arun Mehta (@Capt_Mehta_Arun) October 31, 2016
This is noida at 6.30 am!! #airpollution #smog pic.twitter.com/tBhcxkcK9y — nandita kodesia (@nandita_zee) October 31, 2016
So while entering to Noida from Anand Vihar, thats how morning was for Delhi after #Diwali #fog #smog #crackersSpoiledEnviorment pic.twitter.com/osmFGbPG4r
— Meenakshi Kandwal (@MusafirMinakshi) October 31, 2016
Pedestrians walk near the #IndiaGate monument amid heavy #smog in New Delhi. Delhi, with 18 million residents, has the world's most #polluted air, worsening in winter as temperatures drop and farmers burn off fields after the summer harvest.#pollution #Delhipollution A photo posted by NDTV (@ndtv) on
Image credit - Indian Express