For the first time after Diwali, deteriorating air quality in Delhi plunged to “Severe Plus Category” on January 3, prompting the Supreme Court-appointed Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) to order a 24-hours ban on the entry of trucks into the national Capital. The entry of trucks to Delhi would be disallowed from 11 pm on Friday to 11 pm on Saturday.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city reached 443, with Chandni Chowk and Dhirpur area recording it at 571 and 533 respectively.
Thirty areas in Delhi recorded “severe” air quality, while three gauged “very poor” air quality, it said. Also, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurgaon and Noida recorded “severe” air quality. The overall PM2.5 level in Delhi was recorded at 272, while the PM10 level was at 489, the CPCB said. An AQI between 100 and 200 comes under “moderate” category, 201 and 300 is considered “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, while that between 401 and 500 is “severe’”.
The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), a unit of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), issued health advisory on Thursday. “In all probability, the AQI is expected to go up further within severe range until tomorrow (Friday) afternoon. Relief is expected only if sufficient amount of rainfall occurs. A little shower only aggravates the situation,” the advisory stated.
According to experts, even healthy people find it hard to breathe when air quality level is in the “severe” category and doctors advise physical activity to be kept at a minimum. In a health advisory, it asked city residents not to rely on common dust masks for protection. The agency has advised people to avoid all outdoor activities, including taking walks.
“If the room has windows, close them. If the air conditioner provides a fresh air intake option then choose it, avoid burning anything such as wood, candle or even an incense,” it said.
SAFAR has also recommended frequent wet mopping and using masks known as N-95 or P-100 respirators for outdoor activities.”Do not rely on dust masks for protection,” the advisory stated.
In a letter to the chief secretaries of Delhi and the neighbouring States of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, EPCA chief Bhure Lal directed them to stop the entry of truck traffic into Delhi (except essential commodities) during the period.
The decision comes in view of the severe air quality of the national capital. This would be a second time this season that a ban on the entry of trucks would be imposed. Earlier, it was done between November 1-November 12 when the deterioration of air quality was observed.
The SAFAR said the winter pre-shower condition which introduces huge amount of moisture with dense fog is responsible for a peak in the current pollution scenario.
Foggy weather hit flight services severely at Indira Gandhi International Airport. As per the DIAL officials, departures were put on hold from 7.30 am to 9.30 am due to low visibility conditions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flight to Jalandhar was delayed too.