Page 23 - Air Pollution

Delhi's air quality worsens; 'very poor' air, thick fog reduce visibility

Delhi International Airport issued advisories warning passengers of potential flight delays due to low visibility conditions

Delhi's air quality worsens, AQI remains in 'poor' category for 3rd day

Earlier in the week, on Monday, the capital saw a temporary improvement in air quality, with levels shifting to the "moderate" category after heavy rainfall over the weekend

Delhi's air quality remains poor; AQI dips marginally on New Year's Day

In 2024, Delhi witnessed a continued deterioration in air quality, enduring the highest number of 'severe' AQI days since 2022

After a brief respite, Delhi's air quality turns 'poor' on New Year's Eve

Thanks to the rain spells over the weekend, Delhi's average AQI this December was 294, making it the cleanest December since AQI monitoring began in 2015

Delhi records best Dec air with avg AQI of 294 since system began in 2015

With an average Air Quality Index of 294, Delhi has recorded its cleanest December air since the introduction of the AQI system in 2015. This improvement can be attributed to strong, consistent winds in the first half of the month and record-breaking rainfall in the second, officials said. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), December marked Delhi's cleanest first half ever, with only one 'very poor' air day recorded between December 1 and December 15. On Monday, the AQI stood at 173, in the "moderate" category, a significant improvement from Sunday's 225 (poor). This marked the eighth moderate air quality day this month, with the capital previously recording no more than three moderate days in December. The lowest AQI of this month was recorded on December 28, at 139, marking the cleanest December day on record. The average AQI during this period stood at 238, significantly lower than the usual AQI of over 300 for this time of year. In comparison, .

Delhi's air quality remains 'moderate' after record rains, AQI at 183

Intermittent showers over the past few days have helped reduce pollution levels in the national capital

Air quality in Delhi turns moderate; Noida, Gurugram sees satisfactory AQI

On Friday, the restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap) III were revoked in Delhi-NCR after the air quality improved following a day of continuous showers

Delhi's air quality turns 'moderate' after rain; GRAP III measures lifted

Intermittent showers over the past two days have reduced pollution levels in the national capital

Delhi's air quality remains 'very poor' amid cold wave and fog conditions

In the National Capital Region (NCR), cold wave and fog conditions persisted, with the minimum temperature dropping to 8.4 degrees Celsius

Delhi's AQI improves to 'very poor', maximum temp at 23.4 degree Celsius

Delhi's air quality improved to the 'very poor' category on Saturday, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 370, officials said. The national capital's AQI stood at 429 in the 'severe' category on Friday, they said. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'. The maximum temperature in Delhi was recorded at 23.4 degree Celsius, a notch above the season's average, while the minimum temperature settled at 7.6 degrees Celsius, one notch below the season's average, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. The city experienced fog in the morning hours, with humidity levels oscillating between100 per cent and 64 per cent, the department said. The weather office has predicted moderate fog on Sunday with the maximum and minimum temperatures expected to hover around 24 and eight degrees Celsius, respectively.

Delhi gasps for air: Toxic smog turns city into a hazard zone at 434 AQI

Delhi chokes under a blanket of toxic smog as the AQI soars to a hazardous 434, prompting health warnings for vulnerable groups and urging residents to remain indoors

Delhi's air quality remains in 'severe' category, average AQI at 429

Delhiites continued to breathe toxic air as the air quality on Friday remained in the severe category, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 429. The predominant pollutant was PM2.5, the fine particulate matter that poses serious health risks, as they can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream. Of the 36 monitoring stations across the city, 14 reported air quality in the 'Severe Plus' category, with AQI readings above 450. The remaining stations recorded AQI levels in the 'Severe' range, between 401 and 450. These levels signify a significant deterioration in air quality, which is considered life-threatening for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions. The maximum temperature on Friday was 23 degrees Celsius, slightly warmer than the usual for this time of year. The day started with a cool, misty morning and high humidity, which fluctuated between 95 per cent and 71 per cent throughout the

Air pollution linked to more hospitalisations for all causes, finds study

A research has found an increased hospital admissions for all causes, including mental illnesses, in relation to a long-term exposure to air pollution. The Scottish study, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) Open, found that a higher exposure to nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) combined was linked to a higher hospitalisations for cardiovascular, respiratory and infectious diseases. Researchers from the University of St Andrews, UK, found that for every one micron per cubic metre increase in PM2.5 and NO2 pollutants, the incidence for hospitalisations for respiratory conditions rose by over four per cent and one per cent, respectively. Further, higher hospital admissions for mental or behavioural disorders were associated with an increased exposure to nitrogen dioxide. While the average yearly levels of NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 were lower than the 2005 World Health Organization guidelines, the levels of NO2 and PM2.5 were higher than those in the

Severe pollution grips Delhi; AQI more than doubles in four days to 445

The sudden deterioration coincides with a rise in minimum temperatures, which have increased by 2°C in the past 24 hours

Gurugram DC orders strict implementation of GRAP IV as air quality worsens

Gurugram DC Ajay Kumar has ordered officials to strictly implement the restrictions of GRAP 4 due to increasing air pollution. As per the order, many restrictions have been imposed, including change in office timings of government employees, work from home in private institutions, classes in hybrid mode in schools, ban on construction and demolition activities. As per the orders issued by the DC, employees in all government offices will come to the office at 9:30 in the morning and will render their services till 5:30 in the evening. In all municipal bodies, the timings would be from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The DC has issued an advisory for all private institutions to work from home till further orders. In compliance with the restrictions of GRAP 4, instructions were given to conduct classes in hybrid mode in all schools except classes 10th and 12th. "Under the restrictions of GRAP 4, there will be a ban on public and private construction and demolition activities including highways an

Grap-IV in Delhi-NCR: What stays open, what shuts amid pollution curbs

Construction has been suspended, truck entry restricted, schools shifted to hybrid learning, and offices are running at 50 per cent capacity as Delhi air quality worsens amid stagnant winds

Air quality panel invokes Grap 4 in Delhi as air quality turns 'severe'

The Centre's air quality panel for Delhi-NCR on Monday invoked stringent measures under Stage 4 of the air pollution control plan as the region's air quality turned "severe" due to unfavourable meteorological conditions, according to an official order. The curbs under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for winters include a ban on all construction and demolition activities, including public projects such as highways and flyovers, and on the entry of trucks carrying non-essential goods into Delhi. Delhi's 24-hour average air quality index, which was 379 at 4 pm, breached the 400 mark around 10 pm amid extremely calm winds and "buildup of an inversion layer adversely affecting the vertical mixing height". Vertical mixing height is the height above the surface throughout which a pollutant can be dispersed.

Education dept orders Delhi schools to hold classes upto V in hybrid mode

In view of the implementation of restrictive measures under GRAP III, the Delhi Directorate of Education (DoE) on Monday directed all school administrations to conduct classes for students up to Class V in hybrid mode. In a circular, the DoE stated, "All heads of government, government-aided, unaided recognised private schools of DoE, NDMC, MCD and Delhi Cantonment Board are directed to conduct classes for students up to Class V in a 'hybrid mode,' wherever online learning is feasible, with immediate effect until further orders." The Delhi's air quality deteriorated, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 379 on Monday, placing it in the "very poor" category. This marks a sharp rise from Sunday's reading of 294 in the "poor" category. Under Stage three of the Graded Response Action Plan measures, restrictions now include a ban on petrol vehicles that do not meet BS-III emission standards and diesel vehicles that fail to comply with BS-IV norms from entering the city. Previous

GRAP III restriction in Delhi, inflation, and more

GRAP-III restrictions have been reimposed in Delhi and the national capital region due to "unfavourable weather conditions, including calm winds and low mixing height," the Commission for Air Quality

Centre revises air pollution control plan for Delhi-NCR, tightens curbs

The Centre's panel on Delhi-NCR air quality has issued a revised plan to tackle winter pollution, asking states to implement stricter measures when the air quality deteriorates and making it mandatory for schools to shift to hybrid learning on days with severe air pollution. Poor air quality, driven by unfavourable weather conditions, usually persists for long periods during winter, from November to January. During this time, Delhi frequently enforces restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which categorises air quality into four stages: Stage I (Poor) with AQI between 201 and 300, Stage II (Very Poor) between 301 and 400, Stage III (Severe) between 401 and 450, and Stage IV (Severe Plus) for AQI above 450. According to the revised plan, inter-state buses from NCR states, except those EVs and those running CNG or BS-VI diesel, will not be allowed to enter Delhi under Stage II. This provision earlier came into effect under Stage III. Resident welfare associations