Delhiites could breathe a sigh of “big relief” as dust particles finally started settling down on Friday. The average concentration of harmful particle Particulate Matter (PM) 10 was recorded at 654 microgram per cubic metre (µg/m3) at 8 pm, which is “relatively good” on National Ambient Air Quality Index (NAAQI).
The values of PM 10, which had remained above 1,000 µg/m3 for the last three days, were recorded at 734 µg/m3, thanks to high wind speed in national Capital.
According to Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) measurements, wind speed in North-West direction was recorded between 25 and 35 km per hour (Kmph), which helps in settling light weight harmful ultrafine dust particles. Gusty wind is likely to continue over Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi during the next 24 hours, IMD said in its official statement.
System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), a unit of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has marked values of PM10 for Friday at 551 µg/m3 and 551 µg/m3 for Saturday. While for Sunday, PM10 value is expected to be 440 µg/m3, this means, Delhiites can move out from their home this weekend.
Notably, in this week, the pollution monitoring agencies in Delhi marked values of PM 10 at 3,315 µg/m3, 2,235 µg/m3, 1,813 µg/m3 and 1,516 µg/m3 at different places in Delhi.
Comparing values of ultra fine particle PM10 with Friday’s readings on AQI, the analysis read that particulate values were measured “very low”, hence this can be said that air quality improved, an expert said.
Meanwhile, SAFAR also issued a health advisory for elderly people and small children as they their lungs are vulnerable for dusty atmosphere.
Other pollution monitoring agencies — Delhi Pollution Control Board (DPCC), Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) — Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF &CC), US Embassy also highlighted that due to steady breeze, air quality slightly improved.
There was a dip in the air quality level on Tuesday due to dust storms in western India, particularly Rajasthan, which increased coarser particles in the air, the CPCB had said.
However, influx of dust particle from Rajasthan slowed down significantly and local winds in Delhi have picked up due to which dispersion of pollutants have become faster and the air quality is expected to return to “very poor” category from “severe” by Saturday, said Gufran Beig, a scientist at SAFAR.
Value of PM 2.5, another harmful pollutant recorded at 164 µg/m3 against the permissible limit of 60 µg/m3.
IMD forecast thunderstorms at isolated places over the city in the coming days, bringing relief from the dusty air.
lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal had on Thursday ordered stoppage of all civil construction activities across the city till Sunday as part of the emergency measures which also include intensifying mechanical road sweeping.
The environment experts also mentioned that climatography and geography of Delhi is entirely different from other regions.
Government officials also mentioned that to measure pollutant levels or aerosol loads in Delhi region, the norms or prescribed standards of World Health Organisation (WHO) cannot be considered in highly populated region like Delhi. For instance - WHO standards for PM 2.5 is 20-30, whereas Indian Metrological Standards are 60 which sounds considerable.
Meanwhile, to combat with “dusty” air pollution, all the civic agencies have come up together with various initiatives like restrictions on constructions (Civil), Sprinkling of Water to settle down dust, mechanical sweeping of roads etc.