New Delhi: As cracker bursting began in parts of Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), authorities said the air quality index in the region deteriorated at 382 to achieve “very bad” and could become “severe”. ‘at midnight and explodes rapidly on Friday morning.
According to forecasts, PM2.5 pollution in the capital could enter the “serious” zone by midnight, even if there are 50% of firecracker emissions compared to last year.
PM2.5 pollution will rise rapidly on early Friday morning, with the AQI even surpassing the 500 mark, Gufran Beig, SAFAR’s founding project manager, told PTI news agency.
PM2.5 pollution will increase rapidly by early Friday morning, with the AQI even surpassing the 500 mark.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “fair”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”.
Noida Air Quality Index
Passing Delhi, the air quality of Noida has already reached a “severe” level on the evening of Diwali with an index value exceeding the mark of 400.
Greater Noida Air Quality Index
Even in Greater Noida, which is an extension of the Noida region, the air index value reached 322, which falls under the “very low” category.
Ghaziabad Air Quality Index
Well beyond Delhi and Noida, UP’s Ghaziabad recorded the highest index value of 419, which again falls under the “severe” category.
Air quality index in other areas of the NCR
Even Gurugram recorded an index value of 395, bringing the air quality index to “very bad”. Meanwhile, Faridabad recorded an index value of 399, raising the AQI to the “very low” category.
Air quality due to stubble burning
According to the SAFAR model forecast, the share of thatch burning could increase to 35% on Friday and 40% on Saturday, with the wind direction shifting to the northwest. Northwest winds carry smoke from farm fires in Punjab and Haryana to the nation’s capital.
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Wednesday urged the Center to issue an advisory to Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to completely stop stubble burning during the Diwali period so that people can breathe after the festival.
In order to control air pollution in the national capital, the government of Delhi had launched the “Patakhe Nahi Diye Jalao” campaign to raise awareness against the bursting of crackers.
Action is being taken under the relevant provisions of the Indian Criminal Court and the Explosives Act against anyone found burning cookies in connection with the campaign.
