Delhi air pollution: A thick layer of smog engulfed the national capital after crackers craze among people on Diwali night counters rain relief and leads to heavy pollution all across the city, which is already battling with its deteriorating air quality.
Visuals from various parts of Delhi showed thick haze covering the roads, significantly reducing visibility and making it difficult to see beyond a few hundred metres.
ALL ABOUT DELHI POLLUTION POST DIWALI IN POINTS
- Several visuals across media have shown that a large number of people at different places have taken part in the burning of firecrackers. Sunday night's visuals from Lodhi Road, RK Puram, Karol Bagh, and Punjabi Bagh showed intense fireworks lighting up the night sky across several areas in the national capital.
- The AQI at many places peaked in the 'severe' category and continued to remain toxic for several days, but after Diwali, it is now very likely that the national capital will once again witness a rise in pollution levels, making it difficult for the people inside the city to breathe.
- In some areas across Delhi, air quality index (AQI) reaches above 500, with some areas reaching above 900. The AQI at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is of 910, Lajpat Nagar at 959 and Karol Bagh 779.
- Air quality across Delhi continues to be in the 'Poor' category as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). AQI in Anand Vihar at 296, in RK Puram at 290, in Punjabi Bagh at 280 and in ITO at 263
- Earlier, Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP government in Delhi imposed a complete ban on firecrackers.
- In wake of the pollution situation, the government even considered the idea of 'artificial rain' to tackle the foul air in the city, until sudden rainfall brought a major respite, lowering the pollution level
- Delhi Environment Minister, Gopal Rai appealed to the people of Delhi and its adjacent areas to not burst firecrackers and make it difficult for people to breathe during the festival of Diwali. The environment minister urged the people to instead celebrate the festival in a grand manner by lighting earthen lamps (diyas).
- Air Quality Index (AQI) is a tool for effective communication of air quality status to people in terms, which are easy to understand. It transforms complex air quality data of various pollutants into a single number (index value), nomenclature, and colour
- The Supreme Court earlier rejected the plea seeking the manufacture, sale, and use of firecrackers containing barium chemicals. The top court also did not intervene in the Delhi government's decision to put a complete ban on the use of firecrackers in the national capital.
- With inputs from agencies
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