After Diwali Celebration, Delhites Bing Choked Up by Contaminated Air

BENGALURU: The capital of India experienced ’severe’ level hit for the quality of air after Diwali nigh. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) data revealed that PM10 readings went up to 4,273µg/m³ for RK Puram, which is 42 times over than the standard air quality.

Later, a DPCC official confirmed that it was a mechanical error for the readings as the maximum PM10 reading was recorded to be 1,442µg/m³, at 1am and not anything around 4,273µg/m³.

SAFAR—Centre’s System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research—in its Diwali forecast had said that the city’s air will be on worst levels at October 30 and 31. SAFAR monitoring recorded the average levels of PM2.5 and PM10, at 283 and 517 respectively around 6am.

Inhabiting around 20 million people, the city ranks among the world’s top “WHO list” for foul air. Delhi has always been like this since long and fighting odds to come to even. The air contains a toxic mixture of dust, smoke, and gasses contributed from various sources including vehicles, factory exhausts, coal power stations, and much more.

Almost every year—in autumn and winter— the city goes through the same crisis of air pollution level. Unfortunately, it is also the time when farmers burn their crop stalks in neighboring states and atmospheric change touches record high levels.

However, SAFAR had advised and warned people of what could be the consequences. People suffering from diseases of heart or lung, especially in elderly and children category should remain indoors when air quality turns “serious, “it said.

Air pollution level between AQI 401 - 500, is classified as severe and very unhealthy for living being. In china, it is declared as ‘red alert’ if air quality plunks to such level. If the alarming situation continued for next three days, China takes preventive measures such as declaring holidays for all offices and schools, shutting down industries and power plants, and banning road rationing of vehicles.

Nonetheless, concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 (particulate matters that are equal to or less than 2.5 and 10 micrometers in diameter, resp.) have soared up to hazardous levels in other major cities such as Mumbai, Lucknow, Pune, and Kolkata as well. The country needs to re-thing and re-strategize to counter these prevailing issues in the country at peak times.

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