Delhi’s Air Quality Worsens: Severe Smog and Pollution Alert
The air quality in New Delhi has reached hazardous levels, posing serious health risks. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 406, categorizing it as ‘severe’. A dense smog has enveloped the city for four consecutive days, affecting areas like AIIMS, Pragati Maidan, and Kalindi Kunj.
Impact on Residents
Residents, like Prateek Jain, report health issues such as coughing and throat irritation during outdoor activities. The AQI at India Gate was 414, indicating severe pollution.
Government Measures
The Delhi government has banned certain vehicles under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-III) to combat the pollution. Violators face fines under the Motor Vehicle Act. GRAP-III includes measures like increased road sweeping and water sprinkling.
Pollution Sources
Toxic foam in the river near Kalindi Kunj and Okhla Barrage is attributed to industrial effluents and sewage discharge. The AQI in various areas remains in the severe category, with some places like Jahangirpuri reaching 445.
Doubts Revealed
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. The higher the AQI, the more polluted the air is.
Severe -: In the context of air quality, ‘severe’ means that the pollution levels are very high and can be harmful to people’s health. It is one of the worst categories for air quality.
Smog -: Smog is a type of air pollution that looks like a thick fog. It is caused by a mixture of smoke and fog, often from vehicle emissions and industrial pollution.
GRAP-III -: GRAP-III refers to the Graded Response Action Plan, which is a set of measures to control air pollution in Delhi. Level III includes stricter actions like banning certain vehicles to reduce pollution.
Toxic foam -: Toxic foam is a harmful substance that can form on the surface of water bodies due to pollution. It is often caused by chemicals and waste being dumped into rivers, making the water unsafe.
