Air Pollution
Bihar, Delhi-NCR top pollution charts, air quality major crisis: CSE
This alarming observation was found in a detailed, all-India winter air quality analysis done by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and released on Wednesday. Even though the overall regional averages of PM2.5 levels were lower than the previous winter in most regions, the winter smog episodes recorded severe spikes in several regions.
Will AAP govt in Punjab help Delhi get rid of air pollution?
With a very small window available for the farmers in Punjab and Haryana between harvesting paddy and sowing of wheat, every year, the beginning of the winter season witnesses agro-waste burning in Haryana and Punjab, and the meteorological conditions bring that pollution towards Delhi.
Include clean air in poll manifestos, political parties urged
On behalf of Clean Air Punjab, Gurpreet Singh of the Punjab Development Forum and Director of United Sikhs submitted a dossier containing the recommendations to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Daljit Cheema, AAP legislator Aman Arora and Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pratap Bajwa. "Punjab needs a strong leader who can implement structural reforms and revise policies to improve the air quality of all cities in the state," Gurpreet Singh said.
Pollution levels that dipped during 2020 lockdown threaten to bounce back: CSE
"This analysis of real time air quality data for the period 2019-2021 shows that the downward dip in pollution that was induced by the hard lockdown phases of the pandemic in 2020 is threatening to bounce back with the levels in 2021 already rising. But in many cases, the levels are still lower than 2019. This underscores the urgency of scaling up action across all sectors to prevent further worsening and to arrest the trend in this region," said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy at CSE.
Ban on construction and demolition in Delhi-NCR to continue
"Taking into consideration different studies that clearly show that C&D sites are a major contributor of air pollution across the NCR, the Commission if of the view that except for some exemptions, C&D activities should not be allowed in the NCR till further orders," a release from the Environment, Forests and Climate Change Ministry said.
Schools in Delhi shut down till further orders due to pollution
Earlier on November 13, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced to shut down physical classes in schools for a week, adding that education will continue in virtual mode. After a gap of almost two weeks, all schools in the national capital were reopening on November 29. This move of the Delhi government came after the Supreme Court of India gave a 24-hour ultimatum to the Centre, Delhi and its neighbouring states to act against rising air pollution.
SC slams Delhi govt for opening schools amid severe air pollution
The Chief Justice said the 'court will appoint an authority to oversee the government's air pollution controlling measures', citing severe air pollution levels in the national capital. A bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana asked senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for the Delhi government, that 'when people are working from home then why children are being forced to go to school'.
Delhi-NCR records 'very poor' air quality
The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to settle at 26 degrees Celsius and 10 degrees Celsius, respectively. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature will rise till 14 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity at 8.30 a.m. was recorded at 88 per cent. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the levels of PM 2.5 and PM 10 pollutants were recorded in the 'very poor' and 'poor' category.
Delhi's air quality again falls to 'very poor' category
"The air quality over Delhi-NCT is likely to remain in the upper end of 'Very Poor' category on November 26 and may reach in the lower end of 'Severe' category. Mostly calm or slow winds during night are unfavourable for effective dispersion of pollutants. The air quality is likely to improve marginally but remain in the upper end of 'Very Poor' category on November 27 and November 28," bulletin issued by Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi (Ministry of Earth Sciences) read.
Delhi-NCR's air quality to further improve after Nov 27
Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi (Ministry of Earth Sciences) said in its bulletin, the air quality is likely to remain in 'very poor' category. Gradual improvement is likely from November 27. PM2.5 to be the predominant pollutant.
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