From ‘good’ to ‘satisfactory’, Delhi’s air quality on Sunday ‘marginally’ deteriorated on the National Ambient Air Quality Index (NAAQI).
The values of harmful Suspended Particulate Matters (SPM) Particulate Matter 10 and 2.5 were recorded 61 and 31µgm-3.
According to SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research), a unit of the Ministry of Earth Science (MoEs), Delhi’s AQI is in the satisfactory category of local pollution due to scattered rainfall. “With presence of light rainfall AQI is going to be in a satisfactory category for the next three days,” SAFAR said in its forecast.
While other metropolitans –Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad remained ‘good’ in terms of air quality due to rainfall, Delhi’s air quality has started deteriorating due to low ventilation.
Meanwhile, according to SAFAR, values of both PM 10 and 2.5 will increase in the next three days. For instance – PM 10 on Sunday will fluctuate between 60 and 80 (µgm-3) as mentioned on the Air Quality Index. Value of PM 2.5 will also increase from 31 (µgm-3) to 40 (µgm-3).
Interestingly, this year, as per SAFAR’s measure, there is nil impact of stubble burning while the season of new harvest has been approaching.
Every year, air quality in the last days of September month has started polluting due to low ventilation and presence of half burn particles of crop residue.
This year, to encourage farmers not to burn the crop, the city government has initiated the process of making of microbial. This solution or bio- decomposer will be sprinkled in the paddy field.
Other initiatives, like – installations of smog tower, green war room have also been taken by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government aiming to combat air pollution problems causing respiratory and other life-threatening diseases among children and senior citizens.
Amidst the potential threat of Covid -19 in festive season, air pollution can have a more severe impact on human lungs.