By Sanjeev Kumar Patro
Bhubaneswar: It’s October last only. Sky is mainly clear. No fog around. Still, the national capital – Delhi’s – air has turned foul. There seems no respite for the Delhites when fog will envelop the national capital, come December and January. And then breathing Delhi air would be really very dangerous.
As per the CPCB pollution meter Sunday, the much popular centre in Delhi - the Ananda Vihar area – has an AQI (Air Quality Index) of 405 at 12 PM, which is considered severe in the AQI parameter. Inhaling such air will even affects healthy people, and is critical for persons suffering with diseases – asthma to heart diseases. The area that is the transportation hub of north India has turned a toxic gas chamber in October last week only.
Of the 40 stations, where the AQI is measured, as many as 30 centres have recorded AQi of poor to severe category. AQI data from centres likes Anand Vihar, AKash Vihar,Bawana, ITO, DU Campus, Mundka, Okhla, Rohini, Wazirpur et al display a very poor to severe AQI.
NO RESPITE IN SIGHT FOR NEXT 96 HRS
As per the forecast made by Indian Institute of Tropical Metrology (IITM), the air quality over Delhi reached Very Poor category at 10 PM on Saturday. The predominant winds were from Northwest during daytime and from Northeast directions during night on October 26. The wind speed had been 4-18 kmph.
The forecast maintained that the air quality will be in Very Poor category on October 27 (Sunday). Moreover, the assessment made by IITM spells no respite for the Delhiites for the next 3-days.
The forecast reads, “The air quality is likely to be in Very Poor category from October 28 to October 29.
‘SEVERE’ WARNING
What seems worse for the Delhi denizens is , the air quality forecast by IITM predicts a deterioration. It says, “The air quality may reach in severe category on October 30, in case of additional emissions from firecrackers and stubble fire.
The forecast reasoned out that the meteorological conditions are unfavourable for effective dispersion of pollutants. Therefore, the outlook for subsequent 6 Days shows the air quality is likely to be in Very Poor to Severe category.
WIND PATTERN OVER DELHI
The wind pattern over Delhi on Sunday shows predominant surface wind coming from Southeast direction with a speed of 8 kmph. The Sky is clear. The Southeast wind will prevail till Oct 29. The wind speed may go up to 12kmph. The weather of Delhi will be misty morning and mainly clear sky till October 30. No fog or clouds on the horizon. On October 30, the surface wind may blow from northeast.
Ventilation index is likely to be 3000 m2/s on October 27, 6000 m2/s on Oct 28, 3000 m2/s on Oct 29 and 2800 m2/s on Oct 30.
The forecast says with the ventilation index lower than 6000 m2/s and average wind speed less than 10 kmph is unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants. Therefore, severe air pollution will take Delhi in its sweep before Diwali day.
