New delhi sources stated that a thick layer of haze lingered over the national capital on Monday morning as its air quality index deteriorated further, touching the 239 mark in several areas such as Jahagirpuri, Punjabi Bagh and Wazirpur. Meanwhile according to data provided by aqicn.org, which offers real-time air quality index for more than 60 countries in the world, the pollution level in the city has plunged with the Air Quality Index (AQI) oscillating between 'moderate' to ‘poor' category.
Earlier on Sunday, the AQI in Anand vihar was 327; Wazirpur 323; vivek Vihar 317; Mundka 309; Bawana 302; and in Jahangirpuri 300, according to Central Pollution Control Board data. Apparently the Centre run System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research said smoke from stubble burning will make up six per cent of Delhi’s pollution by October 15, when GRAP comes into force in the Delhi-NCR region.
Perhaps prepared by Central Pollution Control Board, GRAP lists various measures to be taken according to severity of pollution. Moreover the 10 member task force on the GRAP had on Friday held a meeting on the stubble burning incidents reported from Punjab and Haryana, and its likely impact on Delhi-NCR’s air quality. Apparently V K Soni, a senior scientist at the india Meteorological Department, who attended the meeting, said winds are calm due to monsoon withdrawal, leading to low dispersion of pollutants.
