Sun breaks through thick haze, less toxic air likely from today

The sun finally broke through a thick blanket of toxic haze, worst in nearly two decades, as weather experts hoped that pollution levels that have remained “severe” for a week now might reduce from Tuesday.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) called the pollution crisis an epidemic, and asked residents to stay indoors, while requesting the city government to step up its efforts to clean up Delhi’s air, among the dirtiest in the world.

About 10 lakh schoolkids were forced to stay home and a large number of people worked from home as residents complained of breathlessness, watering of eyes, aggravated coughs and wheezing. The Delhi government rolled out some of its emergency measures and also announced a raft of new ones, while continuing to seek the Centre’s help for “artificial rain” to disperse smog.

While the National Green Tribunal (NGT) rapped the government for its failure to improve the situation, the Supreme Court will hear on Tuesday a string of petitions, which seek measures to fight the usual winter crisis seen to have been aggravated by Diwali fireworks and farm fires in neighbouring states.

The air quality marginally improved as wind speed picked up dispersing pollutants and the hazardous haze. Chhath devotees reached the ghats early morning to conclude a four-day ritual. It was the first time in the last 72 hours that wind gathered a speed of 10-12 km/hr

Central monitor SAFAR said wind speed will pick up more by Wednesday, and its direction will be easterly, turning the air quality from “severe” to “very poor”.

The wind currently continues to flow north-northwest. Its direction is important from the point of view of crop stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana. Wind blowing from the northern states, brings pollutant-laden smoke to Delhi.

But facemasks continue to fly off the shelves. IMA president K.K. Aggarwal “The government has not taken any concrete action. The masks, which used to sell at Rs 30 a piece, are now selling at Rs 1,000. This needs to be capped.”

The levels of PM 2.5, tiny particulate matter that reaches deep into the lungs, remained above 700 in Delhi’s worst affected areas on Monday. This is nearly 30 times a mean guideline of 25 micrograms per cubic metre on average over a 24-hour period set by the WHO.

PM 2.5 is linked to higher rates of chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and heart disease. Levels between 301 and 500 are classified as “hazardous”, meaning everyone faces a risk of respiratory effects and should stay indoors.

The current situation has started hampering people’s ability to work efficiently, according to a study by industry body Assocham. The study found that most organisations were facing staff crunch between five to 10 per cent with a growing number of employees calling in sick.

About 580 schools under the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) will remain closed for the entire week, while those in the jurisdiction of North and East civic bodies will be shut till Wednesday.

Around 1,700 schools running under the three municipal corporations were closed on Saturday. About 10 lakh students are enrolled in the primary schools run by the three civic bodies.