Delhi’s air is deadly again, visibility reduced to 50 meters: 60 flights cancelled, 250 delayed due to smog and fog; AQI crosses 500 in some areas
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As the impact of the Western Disturbance subsided, the wind in Delhi died down. This resulted in the capital being hit by a triple whammy of cold, smog, and pollution on Sunday.
Despite the implementation of GRAP-4, the AQI reached levels of up to 500 in the Wazirpur and Rohini areas. Pollutant particles remained trapped in the atmosphere, turning the capital into a gas chamber.
Sunday also saw the densest fog of the year. Visibility was reduced to 50 meters in several areas, including Akshardham. 60 flights were canceled due to the fog, while 250 were delayed.
Doctors have advised children, the elderly, and those with respiratory problems to take precautions. According to the Meteorological Department, some relief may be expected from Monday as wind speeds are expected to increase.
Meanwhile, Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant has advised lawyers and litigants to appear via video conferencing through a hybrid mode. The Supreme Court will hear the petition related to air pollution in Delhi-NCR on December 17.
Strict measures under GRAP-4 prove ineffective
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) implemented GRAP-3 and then GRAP-4 on Saturday, but the situation did not improve. GRAP-4 includes measures such as 50% work from home for employees, a ban on the entry of BS-4 large commercial vehicles, a ban on construction activities, schools operating in hybrid mode, a ban on burning waste/fuel, and a ban on diesel generators, RMC plants, stone crushers, brick kilns, and mining. Transportation of construction materials on unpaved roads is also prohibited.
Delhi’s air quality likely to remain severe for 6 days
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS), the forecast for the next six days also indicates that the air quality is likely to remain in the very poor category. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the current average wind speed, which is less than 10 km per hour, is not conducive to the dispersion of pollutants. On Sunday, the air quality monitoring station in Wazirpur recorded the maximum possible Air Quality Index (AQI) value of 500 during the day. The actual figure is believed to be even higher, although the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) station does not register data beyond this point.
