Delhi’s air pollution level has reached the severe plus category when a thick layer of haze continues to shroud the city on the sixth day. It is due to unfavorable wind conditions, especially calm winds during the night.
On Sunday, education minister Atishi said that primary schools will remain closed until November 10 due to the pollution levels still being high in the national capital. This news was shared with the public through her X account, formerly called Twitter.
Additionally, she also recommended that the classes be shifted online for standards from 6th to 12th.
Image source: X (Twitter)
It was declared a holiday for all government and private primary schools in Delhi after the pollution levels dived into the ‘Severe’ category, in a statement on Friday by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejirwal.
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Delhi Air Quality :
A thick layer of smoke covered the nation’s capital for the sixth day as pollution levels touched severe levels due to adverse weather conditions, particularly the calm winds that trap pollution in the air.
Unfavorable factors like hostile meteorological conditions, combined with CO2 emissions from vehicles, paddy straw burning, firecrackers, and other local pollution sources, contributed significantly to the perilous quality of air levels in Delhi (NCR) every winter.
The data released by the Central Pollution Control Board’s shows that between October 27 and November 3, Delhi’s air quality index increased by more than 200 points, reaching a low point of severe plus’ (above 450) on Friday.
On Friday, the AQI’s 24-hour average stood at 468, the lowest level since November 12, 2021, when it peaked at 471.
Further experts also predicted that there will be no relief to be found for at least the next two days because of a high share of constant stubble burning in Delhi’s air and the disadvantageous weather conditions.
As stated by the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, the quality of air is predicted to stay in the severe category until November 7.
According to medical experts, the recommended AQI should be less than 50 for any healthy person, but in recent times, the AQI has touched beyond 400, which poses a risk to people suffering from lung-related diseases and may even lead to lung cancer.
Air pollution control measures :
A ban on the entry of vehicles non-compliant with BS-VI norms into Delhi from neighboring states in the Delhi NCR was imposed as requested by Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai to Union Minister Bhupender Yadav.
He also requested an emergency meeting be held among neighboring states’ environment ministers.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has also asked the Chief Secretaries of the affected states to reply, directing them to take immediate corrective action and submit a report on their actions to the tribunal.
In a statement, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) stated that in order to guarantee improved air quality for the locals, prompt action is needed for the prevention and control of air pollution in these states.
