Delhi pollution today HIGHLIGHTS: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also announced schools in the capital would be shut till November 5. (PTI Photo)
Delhi NCR Air Pollution Level Today, Delhi Pollution HIGHLIGHTS: Pollution levels in Delhi peaked to a three-year high on Sunday as the city’s overall AQI reached as high as 708 around 5 pm, which is 14 times the safe level of 0-50. All government and private schools till in Noida and Greater Noida will remain closed on November 4 and 5 in the wake of a spike in the pollution level, officials said on Sunday.
Amid the worsening air quality in New Delhi, with AQI bordering the ‘severe plus’ category at several places on Sunday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said there should be no politics on the issue at this stage and all the governments of surrounding states should come together to tackle it. Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain also Sunday issued a health advisory for the protection of people of Delhi from air pollution.
At least 37 flights have been diverted from Delhi airport to other airports on Sunday due to heavy smog, PTI reported. While Air India said it diverted 12 flights since 9 am, Vistara said it diverted five flights after 10 am due to smog at the airport.
An AQI between 0-50 is considered ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’ and 401-500 ‘severe’. Above 500 falls in the ‘severe-plus emergency’ category.
A day before the odd-even road rationing scheme rolls out, BJP parliamentarian Vijay Goel on Sunday said he would violate the rule and alleged that it was an "election stunt" of the Kejriwal government.
"My violation of odd-even scheme of the Kejriwal government will be symbolic because it's an election stunt and drama in view of assembly election," Goel told PTI, adding that he would ride an odd-numbered vehicle on even day. (PTI)
Pollution levels in Delhi peaked to a three-year high on Sunday as hundreds of distraught people took to social media to say they wanted to leave the city due to poor air quality.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitor, SAFAR, said the city's overall AQI reached as high as 708 around 5 pm, which is 14 times the safe level of 0-50.
The Principal Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level meeting Sunday evening through video conferencing with states of Punjab, Haryana and Delhi to tackle the rising levels of air pollution in the city.
It was decided that the Cabinet Secretary will monitor the situation with these states on a daily basis. State Chief Secretaries have also been asked to monitor their districts on a 24×7 basis. The Centre has asked neighboring states to reduce fire incidents and dust levels due to adverse meteorological conditions. During the video-conference, Chief Secretaries of States provided details about the actions being taken by them to improve the situation. Read more
About 300 teams in field in Delhi to reduce air pollution. Necessary machinery for this work has been distributed to states. Main focus on 7 Industrial Clusters, major traffic corridors. Under scanners - Polluting units, burning of wastes besides construction activities.
The odd-even scheme in the backdrop of the severe air pollution in the national capital will kick in from 8 am on Monday (November 4), with only even-numbered non-transport vehicles allowed on Delhi roads on the first day of the exercise.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to people on Sunday to follow the rule for the sake of their children and the city. He has also asked the government machinery to ensure that no person faces inconvenience due to the restrictions.
Under the scheme, which will be implemented from 8 am to 8 pm till November 15, non-transport four-wheeled vehicles with registration numbers ending with an odd digit (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) will not be allowed on the roads on November 4, 6, 8, 12 and 14.
Similarly, vehicles with registration numbers ending with an even digit (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) will not be allowed on the roads on November 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15. (PTI)
All schools in Gurgaon and Faridabad have been directed to remain closed on Monday and Tuesday due to "intense smog" in the districts. Order to this effect issued by Government of Haryana this evening.
Concerned over spike in air pollution, the Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday warned that action will be taken against those burning garbage, polythene and stubble in the field.
"Stubble burning in the field results in massive air pollution. Therefore, farmers should be encouraged and made aware of the consequences of burning straw in their fields. Officials should ensure straw is mixed in the soil to make compost," chief secretary Rajendra Kumar Tiwari said in a directive to officers concerned. (PTI)
Calls from Indian cricket fans to abandon the first T20I between India and Bangladesh grew louder after visuals from Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday showed the grounds enveloped in a thick layer of smog. The final call will be taken by the match referee on consultation with the umpires after 6.30 pm. Read more
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Delhi government's health advisory:
Don'ts
-Don’t burn leaves, wood, agriculture products, garbage
-Don’t go to places with heavy traffic and areas near polluting places, construction sites etc.
-Don’t go for morning and late evening walks , run, jog and physical exercise
-Don’t open doors and windows during morning and late evenings.
-Don’t smoke cigarettes, bidies and related tobacco products.
-Avoid driving cars, scooters and other motorised vehicles
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain Sunday issued a health advisory for the protection of people of Delhi from air pollution. The advisory lists out a number of do's and don'ts, some of which are as follows
Do's
-Remain indoors, or reschedule outdoors activities.
-Consult the nearest doctor in case of breathlessness, giddiness, cough, chest discomfort or pain, irritation in eyes (red or watery)
-Persons with airway, lung or heart illnesses should keep their medication readily available
-If using masks, use certified N95 masks and follow user instructions. Simple paper and cloth masks are not effective
-Continue use of clean smokeless fuels gas or electricity for cooking and heating purpose.
-Use public transportation
A public health emergency has been declared in the national capital due to the toxic smog choking its residents as the overall air quality index continued to remain in the “severe category” on Sunday. On Friday, a Supreme Court-mandated Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) ordered a complete ban on construction till 6 am Tuesday. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, on the other hand, ordered all schools in the city remain shut till November 5 and also distributed 50 lakh masks to students.
Principal Secretary to PM, Cabinet Secretary to hold high-level meeting on air pollution: Officials. (PTI)
Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh says winds coming from Pakistan are also responsible for Delhi smog. He also accused Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal of playing political games over falling air quality in the national capital.
Wealthier households are able to avoid the outdoors, commute in air-conditioned vehicles, work in offices, and invest in air purifiers. Many of these luxuries are simply inaccessible for poor households. In other words, air pollution is likely to impact the poorest citizens the most. At the same time, given that these individuals are facing such high levels of indoor air pollution, handing out masks may not achieve much. Read more
At least 37 flights have been diverted from Delhi airport to other airports on Sunday due to heavy smog, PTI reported. While Air India said it diverted 12 flights since 9 a.m., Vistara said it diverted five flights after 10 a.m. due to smog at the airport.
With Delhi government blaming stubble burning for the rising levels of pollution in the national capital, Uttar Pradesh minister Sunil Bharala on Sunday claimed that stubble burning is “natural” and a “Yagya to please Lord Indra (God of rain)” will set things right.
Bharala’s comment comes days after Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal were involved in a spat after the latter blamed stubble burning for the deteriorating air quality in New Delhi.
Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot on Sunday urged the Centre to take stock of rising pollution levels in Delhi and Rajasthan. In a tweet, Gehlot said, "Rising pollution levels in #Delhi and in neighbouring States including #Rajasthan is a matter of grave concern. People are suffering since long especially children and old people. It is a health emergency, which only Delhi govt can’t solve alone, Central govt has to take lead."
Punjab Chief Minister's Office: Action has been initiated against as many as 2,923 farmers so far in the 20,729 cases of stubble burning reported till November 1, in Punjab. (ANI)
all government and private schools up till Class 12 in Noida and Greater Noida will remain closed on November 4 and 5 in the wake of a spike in the pollution level, officials said on Sunday.
The Gautam Buddh Nagar administration said the decision has been taken as the levels of particulate matter 2.5 and 10 have been excessive in the air since Diwali, resulting in a major dip in the overall air quality.
On the severe climatic condition in Delhi, CM Arvind Kejriwal said, " All scientists and experts are saying that pollution from stubble burning is coming to Delhi, due to which there is pollution everywhere. We don't want to do any blame game, there should be no politics at this stage. All governments should come together and discuss the issue." (ANI)