Rainfall improves air quality

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 19

The air quality of the national capital has shown some improvement as per pollution monitoring agencies especially after the light showers received by some parts of the city in the last 24 hours even as the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed disappointment over the Centre and Punjab and Haryana governments for "not doing enough" to help the farmers to avoid paddy straw burning.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi was recorded at 266 which happens to be in the poor category, as per the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research, a unit under the Ministry of Earth Science.

Over the last two days, the air quality had deteriorated to the very poor category forcing the agencies to look for emergency measures to check pollution. Rainfall cleans the surrounding air of the pollutants, as per authorities.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 is seen satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor and that ranging between 401 and 500 is said to be of severe category.

The PM10 level in Delhi remained at 253 and the PM 2.5 level was recorded at 110, according to the SAFAR data. Yesterday, the PM 2.5, whose increases a greater risk to health than PM 10, touched a new high at 158.

Going by authorities, a number of factors contribute to the deteriorating air quality, including vehicular pollution, construction activities and meteorological factors, such as wind direction and speed etc.

Today Kejriwal joined his colleagues in criticising the central government for ignoring the concerns of the farmers in the neighbouring areas and the air pollution of the national capital.

“Very sad that Central, Punjab and Haryana Govts did absolutely nothing for the farmers. As a result, the farmers will suffer on one hand and Delhi will become a gas chamber soon,” Kejriwal tweeted.