Keep windows shut, wear masks: Govt to Delhiites

New Delhi: Keep windows shut, wear masks, prefer short walks, minimise use of private vehicles are among the recommendations of government bodies for Delhites who are battling dangerous pollution levels in the city.

Delhi’s air quality continues to remain ‘very poor’ for the fourth consecutive day Saturday, prompting the Central Pollution Control Board and the Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research to issue separate advisories for people.

In the NCR region, Ghaziabad recorded severe pollution level, while Gurgaon, Faridabad, Noida and Greater Noida all recorded “very poor” air quality, according to a data by the Central Pollution Control Board data Saturday.

According to a report released by Centre-run SAFAR website on Saturday, the contribution of stubble burning from Punjab and Haryana to Delhi’s pollution has been over 30 per cent on both Friday and Saturday. The report, which analyses the contribution of different factors to PM2.5 (Particulate Matter) pollutant, showed that the highest contribution since October 11 by stubble burning was seen on Friday at 36 per cent.

On Saturday, about 32 per cent of pollution by PM2.5 was caused by stubble burning by Punjab and Haryana, the report said.

However, the stubble burning’s contribution will significantly reduce from Sunday, as per the report by System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (Safar), under the ministry of earth sciences.

“Only 19 per cent pollution of PM2.5 would be caused by stubble burning on Sunday. Stubble burning would contribute to 15 per cent  PM2.5 per cent pollution on Monday,” an official with Safar said.

“On Thursday and Friday, more stubble was burnt in Punjab and Haryana due to which its contribution to PM2.5 pollution increased,”  the official said, adding that the impact of pollution by stubble burning on the national capital could be seen only a day after the stubble is burnt.