Delhi becomes the third-most polluted metropolis within the nation after Faridabad and Noida. The air high quality stayed “severe” for the third consecutive day and worsened on Thursday, with an additional worsening on Friday as predicted by the air pollution monitoring companies.

According to Central Pollution Control Board, the air quality index (AQI), was 423 in Delhi, 452 in Faridabad and 432 in Noida. A lively western disturbance led to much less wind velocity and rise in humidity, over the previous 24 hours leading to poor airflow and extra accumulation of pollution causing worsening of the air high quality.

R Okay Jenamani, senior scientist at India Meteorological Department said that the wind speed was 15kmph towards the afternoon. But humidity, rose by 25-30% over the past 24 hours, causing smog-like conditions. The particle pollution PM2.5 worsened from around 262.8 micrograms per cubic metres early within the day to 292 by 6pm, while the control limit was for PM2.5 was 60 micrograms per cubic metres.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the air high quality could be better from Saturday due to an increase in ventilation, mixing and moist condition which would reduce AQI from December 25.

According to the Union earth sciences ministry’s Decision Support System for Air Quality Management of Delhi, each native and exterior emission sources, local transport, industries, residential emission, the buildings were the main contributors to Delhi’s PM2.5. From the remainder of NCR, Ghaziabad, Noida, Bulandshahr and Muzaffarnagar districts have been the key contributors.

Meanwhile, the Delhi authorities on Thursday said that over 96% of the 34,411 pollution-related complaints obtained on the Green Delhi app launched final 12 months had been addressed. Gopal Rai the setting minister said that around 32,897 complaints had been resolved. 

Among 27 Government Authorities responsible for taking joint action, South Delhi Municipal Corporation New Delhi Municipal Council, public works division, East Company and Delhi Development Authority were the top five government authorities that addressed the air pollution complaints.

Source: ET Healthworld