Winters have not yet set in properly and the temperature level over Delhi and NCR have already starting plunging. The minimums have started dipping leading to cooler weather conditions especially during early morning and late nights.
In general, winters sets in during the month of November and December and that is the time when the pollution level also start increasing. However, this year, significant increase in pollution levels have already been observed since the beginning of October.
Moreover, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and SAFAR, Air Quality Index (AQI) measured on Sunday for the national capital showed recordings of 318. AQI measuring more than 300 is considered very poor. Which in turn is likely to worsen during winters. In fact, Sunday also witnessed a much degraded visibility with a light smog hauling over the city.
The increasing air pollution in Delhi and adjoining regions can be attributed to very low temperatures during early mornings and nights and lesser wind speed and variable direction. Whenever, earth's surface cools down, air closer to the ground tends to cool down as well further if the wind speed is also less, the pollutants remain suspended close to the ground for longer duration.
Which is the case at present over Delhi-NCR. During the month of October, crop burnings also start over the adjoining states of Punjab and Haryana. This smoke along with crop particulate matter start reaching the nearby regions which include Delhi-NCR.
Moreover, concerning the city choking due to bad air, the Supreme Court of the country has appointed an Environmental Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) along with the municipal corporations and departments concerned of Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh governments which have introduced a new app by the name ‘Hawa Badlo’ to improve the deteriorating air quality. The app has already made available for Android and iOS users.
The app is purposeful for the residents of the National Capital if they report occurrences of any leaf and garbage burning, building and construction dust and unpaved road dust. This will help in curtailing down the increasing pollution level.
As per Skymet Weather, not much changes are expected in the weather conditions over the national capital for next 1 week. Minimums may also fall further by 1 or 2 degree which will worsen the situation more.
Moreover, since Diwali is also inching closer and is almost a week away, cracker burnings will further add to the existing deteriorated pollution levels. Thus on Oct 30 and Oct 31, there could be sign increase in the pollution levels.
However, as per the experts, pollution can be curtailed down in the region if the wind speed picks up pace and start blowing from the north or northwest direction. Moderate to strong dry winds carries away the pollutants, or active Western Disturbance which gives fairly widespread rains over northern plains that settle down.
Image Credit: guardian.com
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