Air quality in Delhi takes a nose dive, forecast projects further deterioration: Check health advisory

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The air quality level in the national capital continued to plummet despite the implementation of the emergency action plan - GRAP, which aims at reducing air-borne pollution via step-by-step plans. 

However, despite the array of directives and actions by the Central Pollution Control Board or CPCB, the air quality in Delhi continues to migrate from poor to very poor category. The future projections by the board say that it may enter the severe category soon. 

Delhi Air Quality today

PM 2.5 - 256 (Very poor) 

PM 10 - 394 (Very poor)

Also read | Delhi air pollution: 72-hour pollution forecast system launched in capital

The heath advisory for the current air quality levels by the Ministry of Earth Sciences' System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research or SAFAR says people must minimise outdoor activities at once. 

Health advisory in the current AQI levels in Delhi

For sensitive people: 

Avoid all physical activity outdoor and move activities indoors. If asthmatics, keep relief medicine handy.

For everyone: 

#Stop outdoor activity at early morning and after sunset times. 

#Avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. 

#Go for a short walk instead of a jog and take more breaks

#Stop any activity level if you experience any unuaul coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing, breathing difficulty or fatique. 

#If the room has windows, close them.

#If the air conditioner provides a fresh air intake option, keep tha closed. 

#Avoid burning of wood, candles or incense. 

#Keep the room clean - do not vacuum. Do wet mopping to reduce dust. 

#Masks known as N-95 or P-100 respirators may only help if you go out. 

Meanwhile on Tuesday, the Delhi High Court directed the Delhi government to frame guidelines to regulate burning of effigies of Ravana and bursting of firecrackers during Dussehra, but it refused to stay practices of "Ravana Dahan" this year.

A division bench of Justice S Ravindra Bhat and Justice AK Chawla asked the government to frame policy in this regard as such practices also cause air pollution.

However, the court declined to pass any interim order on the plea seeking stay on burning of Ravana effigies this year, observing that current festival has already advanced on and a regulation cannot be made now by the government to regulate the practice.

The court order came on an oral submission by an auto driver who apprised the court that around 10,000 effigies are burnt in various part of the national capital. Countering his submission, the Central government's counsel Ajay Digpaul told the court that "Ravana Dahan" is part of people's sentiments and sacraments.

The court directed the government to file an affidavit indicating the steps taken on framing the policy and listed the matter for further hearing on November 22.

Steps taken to curb pollution in Delhi

From September 15, 41 Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) teams have been deployed in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram and Faridabad for monitoring and supervision of dust mitigation and other air pollution abatement measures.

At sanitary landfill sites, CCTVs have been installed, fencing has been done and guards have been deployed to ensure that no fire take place at these sites.

Rs 591.65 crore has been allocated to Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi under the scheme on Promotion of Agriculture Mechanisation for in-situ management of crop residue.

Western Peripheral Expressway is likely to become operational from November 1, while Eastern Peripheral Expressway is operational since last week of May 2018 which will help in diverting non-destined trucks entering Delhi.