EPCA orders steps in Delhi-NCR; stubble fire share in Capital’s air pollution rises to 46%, schools in Delhi shut
The Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) on Friday declared a “public health emergency” in Delhi-NCR after air pollution breached records of the season. The EPCA imposed a ban on all construction activities till November 5.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) shot up to 484 in Delhi and 496, 496 and 469 in Ghaziabad, Greater Noida and Gurugram respectively. With rising values of pollutants, Delhi map turned into dark maroon signifying “severe plus category”.
The EPCA also ordered shutting of all coal-based plants, diesel generator sets, bursting of crackers in Delhi-NCR till November 5.
Meanwhile, the contribution of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana to Delhi’s pollution rose to 46 per cent on Friday, the highest this year, said System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). PM 2.5 reached 383 ug/m3, highest in season which is equivalent to 500 plus on the AQI (severe plus), SAFAR said.
In the wake of the rising level of pollution, the Delhi Government on Friday decided to shut all schools till November 5. Also, earlier in the day Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal distributed masks to school children as part of the Government’s initiative to protect them from pollution and also explained children about the ill effects of stubble burning on air quality.
“I would also like all the students to write letters to Khattar Uncle and Captain Uncle to provide machinery and equipment to farmers to stop them from burning stubble in Punjab and Haryana,” the Delhi CM told students.
With the blanket of haze over Delhi thickened on Friday, EPCA chief Bhure Lal wrote a letter to the Chief Secretaries of Punjab and Haryana. “The EPCA has directed implementing agencies to take immediate stringent actions to stop stubble-burning in Punjab and Haryana. This requires vigilance and punitive action against all cases of local pollution, from plastic and garbage burning to dust pollution,” Lal said.
SAFAR said chances of deterioration in AQI of Delhi in first week of November is mainly due to the late withdrawal of monsoon forcing stagnant conditions. “The effective stubble fire counts of north west India (Haryana and Punjab) touched a new peak value of this year (3178) on Thursday,” it said.
However, Delhittes can draw solace from the fact that the westerly wind direction is likely to bring some breather.
“The western disturbance is likely to positively influence Delhi’s air quality by increasing surface and boundary layer winds speed and thereby flushing out the accumulated pollutants. By November 3, significant improvement is likely and further by November 4.”
According to US Embassy at New Delhi database, on an average, concentration of pollutants in Vasundhara, Anand Vihar, Sectors 62, 125 of Noida and Okhla recorded severe plus AQI category.
According to Central Pollution Control Board, AQI in Palwal was 369, Panipat 421, Rohtak 467, Sirsa 462.
The health bulletin recommended people to avoid physical activities outdoors. “Stop any activity level if you experience any unusual coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing, breathing difficulty, or fatigue, and consult doctor.
“If the room has windows, close them. If the air conditioner provides a fresh air intake option, close it. Avoid burning anything, such as wood, candles or even incense. Keep the room clean — do not vacuum. Do wet mopping frequently. Masks known as N-95 or P-100 respirators may help if you go out. Do not rely on dust masks for protection,” it said.