Air Pollution

As per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the level of PM2.5 stood at 82 and that of PM 10 at 202, on Friday morning, both under "moderate" category. Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 162, which is in the "moderate" category. As per SAFAR methodology, effective fire counts are 894 and its share is 4 per cent in Delhi's PM2.5 as transport level winds are not favourable for intrusion. In presence of local dry weather and westerly wind, local dust emission will lead to high PM10.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), thunderstorms with moderate intensity rain with heavy intensity rain over isolated places would continue to occur over and adjoining areas of the national capital during the next two hours. "Thunderstorm with moderate intensity rain with heavy intensity rain over isolated places would continue to occur over and adjoining areas of entire Delhi, Gurugram, Aurangabad, Palwal, Faridabad, Ballabhgarh, Panipat, Sohana (Haryana) during next two hours (issued at 4 a.m.)," the IMD tweeted.

"In view of the dangerous level of pollution during Diwali in Delhi witnessed in the last three years, we are again imposing a complete ban on the storage, sale and usage of any kind of firecracker to save people's lives," Kejriwal tweeted, appealing traders to avoid buying or keeping stocks of crackers this year.

Indian cities routinely dominate global pollution rankings and bad air kills more than a million people every year, the BBC reported. The report by EPIC said that north India breathes "pollution levels that are 10 times worse than those found anywhere else in the world". Air pollution can reduce the life expectancy of Indians by nine years, said a report by a US research group.ALSO

In all likelihood, the announcement would be made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This will replace the existing National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). A top government official told IANS: "The countours are being worked out, modalities are being set."nHe, however, refused to put a date for the announcement. It may or may not be ahead of the annual global climate change meeg to be held at Glasgow in November this year.

The 24.2-metre-tall structure has been built near the Shivaji Stadium metro station in Connaught Place. According to Hindustan Times, The overall cost of the project, including two years of running costs, is estimated to be approximately Rs. 20 crore. Smog towers are huge buildings that serve as large-scale air cleaners. They have many layers of air filters and blowers at the bottom to suck in the polluted air and make it cleaner.

During an inspection of the development of this much talked about project on Thursday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the smog tower will operate at full capacity after the monsoon season. "Chief Minister Arvid Kejriwal will inaugurate the smog tower on August 23. Thereafter, experts will ascertain its impact on pollution. Based on the results, we will take a decision on installing more equipment," Rai told the press.

As per its reports, between April 2020 and April 2021, NO2 pollution has increased in all the eight capitals of states studied -- Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Jaipur and Lucknow. The report claimed the national capital has seen the 'most dramatic increase' during the period. NO2 is a dangerous air pollutant that is released when fuel is burned.

The deterioration in the air quality is expected due to low pace of surface wind blowing in the capital, officials said. However, the deterioration would be marginal and the air quality is likely to remain in the higher end of the Very Poor category on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences has advised sensitive groups to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. If asthmatic, keep relief medicine handy, it emphasised. Out of 39 pollution monitoring stations in the city, the air quality index is highest in Jahangirpuri area in northwest district, followed by 276 at Bawana. It is the least at IGI airport at 68 micrograms per cubic meter.