Hazardous pollution choked most regions of northern India on Monday and measurements of the air quality in the capital New Delhi rose to the year’s peak after the formation of a dense fog.
Often, smog – a choking mix of smoke and fog, occurs in winter as cold air prevents dust, emissions, and smoke originating from the burning of legal farm fires in some neighboring states from dispersal.
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Optical density was reduced by a quarter to 100 meters (109 yards) in Delhi and Chandigarh, a northwestern city near the capital, but both air and rail traffic were not disrupted; there were only delays. India’s pollution control authority added that the 24-hour AQI in the national capital territory was at 484 which falls under the ‘severe plus’ category – the worst this year.
With an air quality index of 1071, or hazardous, and a concentration of PM2.5 at 130.9 times the WHO recommended safe levels, New Delhi topped Swiss group IQ Air’s ranking as the world’s most polluted city.0 m (109 yards) in Delhi and Chandigarh, a city northwest of the capital, but authorities said flights and trains continued to operate with some delays.
India’s pollution control authority said the national capital territory’s 24-hour air quality index (AQI) reading was at 484, classified as “severe plus”, the highest this year.
According to Swiss group IQAir’s live rankings, New Delhi was the most polluted city in the world with the air quality at a “hazardous” 1,081 and the concentration of PM2.5 — particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter that can be carried into lungs, causing deadly diseases and cardiac issues — was 130.9 times the World Health Organisation’s recommended levels.
The experts say that the difference exists due to disparity in the conversion measurement that countries use when depicting pollutant concentration into the AQI thus the same quantity of one pollutant may be regarded as different AQI scores in distinct nations. Delhi authorities ordered all schools to shift classes online and clamped down on construction activities and vehicles citing unfavourable meteorological conditions and slow winds. rent AQI scores in different countries.
Delhi authorities directed all schools to move classes online and tightened restrictions on construction activities and vehicle movements, citing unfavorable meteorological conditions and low wind speed.
Fires that farmers set to burn crop residue, primarily paddy, ringed around the Delhi region accounted for varying percentages of up to 40% of pollution from farm fires, said Safar, a weather bureau associated with the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Satellites recorded 1,334 such events in six states on Sunday, the highest in the last four days as per India’s Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space.
As evident clearly, most of the inhabitants went on with their usual activities while breathing contaminated air. Most of the structures were almost indiscernible, including the India Gate in Delhi.
‘Morning walk was always fine, but today the air is not fresh and we have to use this mask.’They complain of a burning sensation in the eyes and slight breathing problems,” another resident of the city, Akshay Pathak said in a statement to the ANI news agency, in which international news agency Reuters has a stake. be translated as different AQI scores in different countries.
Delhi authorities directed all schools to move classes online and tightened restrictions on construction activities and vehicle movements, citing unfavorable meteorological conditions and low wind speed.
Farm fires — where stubble left after harvesting rice is burnt to clear fields — have contributed as much as 40 percent of the pollution in Delhi, SAFAR, a weather forecasting agency under the Ministry of Earth Sciences has said.
Satellites detected 1,334 such events in six states on Sunday, the most in the last four days, according to India’s Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space.
Despite the polluted air, many residents continued their daily routines. Many buildings were barely visible, including Delhi’s iconic India Gate.
“Morning walk usually feels good, but now the air is polluted and we’re forced to wear a mask… There is a burning sensation in the eyes and slight difficulty in breathing,” Akshay Pathak, a city resident, told the ANI news agency, in which Reuters has a minority stake.
India’s weather department has projected warnings of “dense to very dense” fog for Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan states come Monday.
FAQs
1. What causes Delhi’s severe pollution and smog?
Major causes include vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, crop stubble burning, construction dust, and weather conditions like low wind speeds and temperature inversion.
2. How does this smog affect people’s health?
Smog leads to respiratory problems, eye irritation, reduced lung function, aggravated asthma, and long-term risks like cardiovascular diseases and chronic lung issues.
3. What can individuals do to stay safe?
Use N95 masks, avoid outdoor activities during peak pollution, use air purifiers indoors, and stay hydrated to reduce the impact of pollutants.