Fine particulate matter pushed Delhi's Air Quality Index to 377 on Wednesday morning, plunging the city into the "very poor" bracket after an uncharacteristically clean October. A combination of local vehicle exhaust, industrial fumes, and stubble burning smoke carried by north-westerly winds caused the sudden environmental plunge. To prevent further deterioration during upcoming celebrations, authorities are restricting firecrackers to certified green varieties with QR codes. Meanwhile, Mumbai's air index rebounded to a "satisfactory" 89 on Wednesday after previously deteriorating to 322 in late October.
Key points
Seasonal weather shifts and regional stubble burning have undone Delhi's unusually clean…: Seasonal weather shifts and regional stubble burning have undone Delhi's unusually clean October conditions.
Strict judicial restrictions limit firecracker usage to designated morning and evening ho…: Strict judicial restrictions limit firecracker usage to designated morning and evening hours on November 7 and 8.
Fireworks are entirely prohibited within a 300-meter radius of schools, hospitals, and ca…: Fireworks are entirely prohibited within a 300-meter radius of schools, hospitals, and care homes.
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- Published
Delhi is once again battling worsening air pollution as the onset of winter brings a familiar deterioration in air quality.
The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) - which measures PM2.5, fine particulate matter that can clog lungs - has crossed 300, entering the "very poor" category and raising health concerns for millions of residents.
Breathing such polluted air over prolonged periods can cause respiratory problems and worsen existing illnesses, with children and older people particularly vulnerable.
Authorities have responded by invoking Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), introducing measures to curb dust, vehicle emissions and other sources of pollution.
Delhi and neighbouring parts of northern India grapple with hazardous air every winter, particularly around Diwali, one of India's biggest festivals, which is just days away.
The festival is celebrated with lights, lamps and fireworks, which often worsen the city's already poor air quality by releasing fine particles and harmful gases into the atmosphere.
The annual pollution crisis is driven by a combination of factors, including vehicle exhaust, industrial emissions, falling temperatures, low wind speeds and…
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