Two days after Diwali, toxic smog is choking the Capital as air quality index recorded ‘severe’ levels on Friday with the concentration of harmful particulate matter hovering between four to five times the safe levels.
Above standard
Though less than the levels recorded on Wednesday and Thursday, the average PM2.5 and PM10 levels were well above the standards.
The Centre’s System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) index showed the PM2.5 level at 303 micrograms per cubic metre, making it over five times the standard of 60.
Similarly, the PM10 level was recorded at 440 micrograms per cubic metre, making it four times the standard of 100.
The Central Pollution Control Board said the Air Quality Index (AQI), which takes into account other pollutants apart from PM as well, was 423, putting it in the ‘severe’ category.
According to SAFAR, the air quality in Delhi had “improved significantly” since Thursday, but the recovery was “slow due to low surface wind speed”. Saturday could see severe pollution levels continue, SAFAR said. The Meteorological Department said there was low surface wind speed, between 3-6 kmph on Friday and therefore, the AQI remained in the ‘severe’ zone as the pollutants were not blown away.
Rise in minimum temp
Temperatures were appreciably below normal in Delhi with the minimum recorded at 11 degrees Celsius, which is three degrees cooler than the normal for the season.
The weatherman has forecast a gradual rise in the minimum temperature by 2-3 degrees Celsius from Saturday.
The MeT department said that “a fresh Western Disturbance is likely to affect Western Himalayan region from Sunday [November 11] and adjoining plains from November 12 onwards, which would bring within a generally cloudy sky with the possibility of very light rain/thundershowers from November 13.
The last time a western disturbance influenced the weather in the Capital, the AQI went from ‘very poor’ to ‘moderate’ on Sunday (November 4).
Heavy vehicles banned
Meanwhile, curbs on pollution in Delhi continued, with the Traffic Police stopping trucks from entering the Capital, on orders of the Transport Department, said sources.
The entry of heavy and medium goods vehicles carrying non-essential commodities was banned from 11 p.m. on Thursday till 11 p.m. on Sunday (November 1). Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Alok Kumar said 1,008 vehicles were allowed and 445 turned away from the borders from 11 p.m. Thursday till 6 a.m. Friday.
