Delhi’s Air Quality Worsens
On Thursday, the air quality in New Delhi, India’s capital, fell into the ‘very poor’ category with an Air Quality Index (AQI) over 330 in many areas. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported high AQI levels at various locations, including Anand Vihar (392) and Ashok Vihar (350).
Weather and Pollution Concerns
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted temperatures between 19 and 33 degrees Celsius. Environment Minister Gopal Rai expressed concerns about rising pollution, attributing it partly to northwest winds carrying smoke from stubble burning in nearby states like Haryana and Punjab.
Government Response
Minister Rai plans to write to the Union Environment Minister to discuss solutions, including artificial rain research by IIT Kanpur. He also urged neighboring states to avoid sending diesel vehicles to Delhi during unfavorable weather.
Expert Insights
Experts, including Professor Sagnik Dey from IIT Delhi, noted that stubble burning contributes 25-30% to pollution in October and November but only 6-8% annually. They emphasize addressing multiple pollution sources year-round.
Environmental Impact
Pollution has also affected the Yamuna River, where toxic foam was observed in Kalindi Kunj.
Doubts Revealed
Air Quality -: Air quality refers to how clean or polluted the air is. It is measured using the Air Quality Index (AQI), which tells us how safe or harmful the air is to breathe.
AQI -: AQI stands for Air Quality Index. It is a number used to communicate how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is forecast to become. A higher AQI means more pollution and a greater health concern.
Gopal Rai -: Gopal Rai is a politician in India who is the Environment Minister of Delhi. He is responsible for managing and protecting the environment in the city.
Stubble Burning -: Stubble burning is the practice of setting fire to the straw stubble that remains after grains like rice and wheat have been harvested. This is done by farmers to clear the field quickly but it causes a lot of air pollution.
Artificial Rain -: Artificial rain is a process where chemicals are sprayed into clouds to encourage them to produce rain. This can help clear pollution from the air by washing it down to the ground.
Yamuna River -: The Yamuna River is one of the major rivers in India, flowing through several states including Delhi. Pollution in the air can also affect the water quality of rivers like the Yamuna.
