Delhi air turns 'very poor' post Diwali, Pg11.

Key Highlights:

• Delhi's air quality turned 'very poor' post Diwali with PM2.5 and PM10 levels exceeding safe limits by 15 to 18 times at several stations.
• Real-time data from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) showed concentrations breached permissible standards significantly.
• Farm fires in Punjab have decreased compared to previous years, with only 353 instances recorded between September 15 and October 20 .
• The Supreme Court's direction to restrict fireworks to specific time slots was widely flouted across NCR.

Detailed Insights:

• Climate Trends analysis indicates that post-Diwali pollution levels this year were the highest in five years.
• Some locations recorded peaks above 1,400 to 1,800 µg/m3, significantly higher than permissible standards, with missing data suggesting instrument saturation.
• Delayed paddy harvest in Punjab due to floods and heavy rain may have postponed farm fires .
• Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest number of fire incidents (557), followed by Madhya Pradesh (285) and Rajasthan (212).
• Political debate ensued, with accusations exchanged between parties regarding responsibility for pollution and adherence to Supreme Court guidelines.

Key Concepts Involved:

• PM2.5 and PM10: Particulate matter with diameters of 2.5 and 10 micrometers, respectively, major air pollutants.
• Air Quality Index (AQI): An index for reporting daily air quality, indicating how clean or polluted the air is.
• Farm Fires: The practice of burning agricultural residue after harvest, contributing to air pollution.