Delhi continues to choke as air quality turns 'severe' again, EPCA extends ban on construction and truck entry till Nov 12
The pollution level had dipped marginally this morning with air quality index of 394 but by evening the pollution again dropped from 'very poor' category to 'severe' level and an AQI of 403 was recorded.
Delhi's air quality further deteriorated to 'severe category' by Saturday evening after witnessing a slight improvement in the morning. The decline in the air quality was mainly caused by unfavourable weather conditions and significant increase in pollution fron stubble burning, authorities said.
The pollution level had dipped marginally this morning with air quality index of 394 but by evening the pollution again dropped from 'very poor' category to 'severe' level and an AQI of 403 was recorded.
On Saturday, the PM 2.5 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 2.5 micrometres) level was recorded at 261 while the PM10 (particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres) was recorded at 416 in Delhi, according to data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Twenty areas in Delhi recorded severe air quality while 15 areas recorded very poor air quality, according to the CPCB.
Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Greater Noida recorded severe air quality while Noida and Gurgaon recorded very poor air quality, according to the CPCB.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", and 401 and 500 "severe".
According to the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, the increase in PM 2.5 concentration is due to stable meteorological conditions, trapping of pollutants in Delhi (very less dispersion) and significant increase in contribution from stubble burning.
STUBBLE BURNING IN DELHI 'LARGEST-EVER RECORDED' THIS YEAR: IITM
Stubble burning in neighbouring states of Delhi on Thursday was the "largest-ever recorded" this year which might lead to a further deterioration in the already "severe" air quality of the national capital, the IITM said on Friday.
It said about 2,100 fire counts were observed on Thursday over north western region of India.
The air quality in Delhi has been severe for the past two days with the highest pollution level of the year recorded a day after Diwali on Thursday at an AQI of 642.
ENVIRONMENT POLLUTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL AUTHORITY EXTENDS BAN ON CONSTRUCTION AND TRUCK ENTRY IN NATIONAL CAPITAL TILL NOVEMBER 12
Amid rising concerns over increasing pollution in Delhi, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) has extended the ban on industies using coal and biomass including brick klins, entry of truck traffic to Delhi and construction activities till November 12. However, the ban does not include power plants.
"It was observed that PM2.5 concentrations have been exceeding 300 µg/m3. As such the 'severe +' situation has continued for 37 hrs. Therefore, the task force recommends that ban on construction activities, industries using coal and biomass and entry of trucks, which are in force, should continue till November 12, 2018," the CPCB-led task force has recommended to the EPCA.