Air quality in the Capital is deteriorating each passing day as the suspended Particulate Matter (PM) 10 (coarse particles) levels at RK Puram area on Friday were recorded at 1,183 micrograms per cubic metre, which is ten times higher than the safe limit, which is 100 microgram per cubic metre as per real time air quality check agencies.
The air quality is set to deteriorate further once it starts snowing in the higher reaches of the Himalayas after this weekend, said a senior Indian Metrological Department (IMD) official.
The official explained that following snowfall, there would be an extensive development of fog which, on coming in contact with pollutants, will turn into smog, a harmful mixture of smoke and fog.
As per the National Air Quality Index (NAQI), deterioration in the air quality of trans-Yamuna’s Anand Vihar was ‘severe’ while System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) said that the average for the entire city oscillated between ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’.
“Severe”, used to describe the highest level of pollution, is declared when PM 2.5 (fine, respirable particles) and PM 10 cross 253, 421 micro gram per cubic metre respectively.
“Very poor” signifies PM 10 and PM 2.5 levels between 351 and 420 and 211 to 252 microgram per cubic metre. The corresponding safe limits are 60 and 100.
“Visibility, and subsequently movement of traffic, will also take a hit due to development of heavy smog. Wind movement is also calm which is not enough to disperse the pollutants,” the official said.
Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC)’s real-time monitoring painted a worse situation with PM 2.5 and Benzene levels as high as 357 and 22 in some areas. The safe limit of Benzene is five micrograms per cubic metre.
At Civil lines, where the Chief Minister’s official residence is located, Benzene level was recorded as 22 micrograms per cubic metre, way above the prescribed limit.
SAFAR had observed that air of Delhi during the Diwali period was “more polluted” than last year although the Government said that maximum average values of sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and PM 2.5 were lower compared to their corresponding values of last Diwali.
Meanwhile, Delhiites woke up to a cold morning on Friday with the minimum temperature settling at 11 degrees Celsius, even as the weatherman predicted a partly cloudy day ahead.
“The minimum temperature recorded was 11 degrees Celsius, normal for this time of the year. The humidity recorded at 8.30 am was 59 per cent,” a MeT official said.
The MeT department has predicted partly cloudy sky later in the day with possibility of shallow fog in some areas for Saturday morning. The maximum temperature is expected to settle at about 28 degrees Celsius, the official added.
On Thursday the maximum temperature was recorded at 29.1 degrees Celsius while the minimum settled at 11.9 degrees Celsius.