Air quality better at ‘very poor’, smog may return

NEWDELHI: Delhi’s air quality saw a slight improvement on Friday as the pollutants in the air went down from the ‘severe’ category to ‘very poor’.

The air quality index of ministry of earth science’s System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) settled at the 397 mark.

In several observatories across the city the levels of particulate matter with diameter less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) was recorded between 350 and 400 micrograms in a cubic meter of air throughout the day.

The levels of PM 10 or particulate matter finer than 10 micrometers was also recorded between 350 and 450.

Weather experts have, however, warned that the in the coming week the wind speed is likely to slow down. This might trap the pollution particles in the air and not allow it to circulate.

“The problem is that even now the winds are sporadic and not continuous which is not completely bringing down the pollution levels. The winds are not strong enough to blow away the pollutant particles,” the expert said.

On Friday according to India Meteorological Department (IMD), at 8.30 am and 5.30 pm there were no winds, but at 11.30am wind speed was recorded at 10kmph and 2.30pm it went down to 8kmph.

The average wind speed through the day remained between 4kmph to 8kmph.

The forecast says that on Saturday too, only light north-westerly winds are expected. This means that the smog is likely to return to the city.

Environment experts said that this week it was the wind that helped clear the thick smog, which had enveloped the city on Saturday and Sunday. However, if the forecast has predicted that the smog is likely to be back, then the government should take preventive measures instead of trying to find remedies after the pollution levels have gone up again.

“The government agencies need to work together. When the Met department has predicted that the weather conditions are not going to be favourable in the coming days then the emergency measures such as water sprinkling and vacuuming should be done as an emergency measure, so that the levels don’t reach alarming heights,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).