Delhi-NCR Weather: Pollution is becoming out of control in Delhi-NCR. It reached critical levels on Friday. AQI was recorded beyond 400 in most areas of Delhi. In such a situation, new restrictions have been implemented under Grape-3.
New Delhi: For the first time this season, pollution in Delhi reached critical levels. AQI 402 was recorded in Delhi at 5 pm on Thursday. According to the forecast, pollution was to remain at very poor levels. Seeing the situation worsening at five o’clock, the Commission for Air Quality and Management (CAQM) called an emergency meeting and the decision was taken to implement Stage-3 of GRAP in Delhi NCR. Under this, there will now be a ban on private construction in Delhi-NCR. People will not be able to get painting or drilling work done before Diwali. If the state governments of Delhi NCR wish, they can ban BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel cars in Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar apart from Delhi. GRAP is a system to deal with pollution in which restrictions are automatically imposed as the level of pollution increases.
Schools closed till 8 for primary
All schools in Delhi have been closed for two days from Nursery to Class 5. The Directorate of Education has said that on November 3 and 4, schools will remain closed for pre-school, pre-primary and primary school students i.e. from nursery to class 5. The Directorate of Education has said that online classes should be held.
These cars will not be available from today
The Transport Department has banned the operation of vehicles with BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel engines in Delhi till further orders. This restriction will apply to commercial vehicles as well as private vehicles. This restriction will be applicable not only on Delhi but also on vehicles having registration numbers of other states.
Metro trips will increase further
DMRC has announced increase in the frequency of metro trains to promote public transport. From Friday, metro trains will make 20 extra trips. Transport Department from today for central employees Kidwai Nagar, R.K. Central Secretariat will start shuttle service of electric buses from Puram.
Who polluted the capital and how much?
| stubble | 22.31% |
| Transport | 11.275% |
| Other | 19.94% |
Fireworks and stubble smoke on Karva Chauth increased pollution
The change in winds along with the fireworks on Karva Chauth has once again turned Delhi-NCR into a gas chamber. The layer of smog had spread since 8 in the morning. By evening it reached critical level. At many places, visibility was less than 700 meters due to smog. People felt a lot of trouble outside. According to the Meteorological Department, from the morning of November 1, the direction of the winds changed to North-East and North. These winds reached the capital carrying with them the smoke of stubble. According to experts, even on November 1, the wind speed was quite low. Despite this, there were huge fireworks in Delhi NCR as soon as the moon rose on Karva Chauth. Due to fireworks and stubble, smoke started accumulating along with light smog in the capital and people had trouble breathing. According to the forecast, the pollution level may remain very bad from 3rd to 5th November. After this, it may remain from very bad to severe in the next six days. On November 3, winds will come from the direction of East and North. Their speed will be only around 4 to 10 kilometers. On November 4, it will come from South-East and North-East direction. Their speed can be around 6 to 8 kilometers. In such a situation, there is not much hope of getting much relief from pollution.
How much pollution came from which cities?
| Gautam Buddha Nagar | 6.89 percent |
| Ghaziabad | 4.22 percent |
| Gurugram | 4.92 percent |
| Jhajjar | 4.05 percent |
| Faridabad | 4.38 percent |
Why is the situation becoming more difficult this time?
This time pollution seems to be creating more difficult situations than before, because the conditions are a little different from before. On one hand, the peak season of stubble burning is going on, while on the other hand, the smog episode is also prolonging. On top of that, Diwali is yet to come. Usually Diwali falls in the month of October, but this year it is also late by 10-12 days. The way firecrackers were burst on Karva Chauth, it has also become clear that despite all the efforts, the ban on firecrackers is not being implemented effectively. In view of this, there is a fear that the situation may become more serious on Diwali. By then the temperature will also start falling further. The wind speed is also expected to reduce further. Due to this, the pollution situation in Delhi-NCR may become more serious after Diwali. CAQM has implemented Grap-3, but its effect will be seen only when the provisions of Grap-3 are strictly implemented.
