‘I walked for one and a half hour on Tuesday (25 November) evening. My health deteriorated due to pollution. We have to find a solution to this soon. This is happening because of the weather in Delhi. Now even walking is difficult.
This statement is not of any common man, but of the country’s CJI Surya Kant. Pollution in Delhi has increased so much that even CJI Surya Kant was affected by it. Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) is becoming dangerous day by day. Now winters have also started, due to which pollution will increase rapidly. But why so? In ABP Explainer, let us understand how bad the conditions of Delhi have become in winter, why pollution increases in winter and how much chill Delhi will suffer this time…
Question 1- How bad is the situation in Delhi at present due to pollution?
answer- According to AQI.in, Delhi’s pollution level at 1 am on November 27 was 421 AQI. Which falls in the category of very bad. On November 20, it had reached 511, which is considered more than dangerous.
In view of the increasing pollution in Delhi-NCR, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has made GRAP i.e. Graded Response Action Plan more stringent. Now many big steps will be implemented in the beginning itself, so that the situation can be controlled before the situation worsens. CAQM said that the new steps have been taken on the basis of scientific data, expert opinion and past experiences. All agencies have received instructions to implement these immediately.
Now the rules which were earlier applicable to GRAP-2 will now be applicable to GRAP-1 only. Many rules of GRAP-3 will now be applied in GRAP-2 and rules of GRAP-4 will now be applied in GRAP-3. GRAP-4 also includes a provision to provide work-from-home to 50% of the employees.
The rules which were earlier applicable when AQI was 450+, will now be applicable only when AQI is between 401–450. These include calling only 50% of the staff in government, private and municipal offices, work-from-home for the remaining employees. Apart from this, the Central Government can also adopt this model on its employees.
Now, due to winter, pollution may increase further, due to which the administration has already become alert.
Question 2- What is the logic of increase in pollution in winter?
answer- In winter, all the solid things on the earth’s surface, like roads, buildings, bridges, etc., all release the heat received from the sun at night. The released heat rises 50 to 100 meters above the ground and forms a lockable layer. Because of this the air in the atmosphere is unable to rise. This means that this air remains locked at the lower levels of the atmosphere.
The air near the ground below this layer is cold and there is little movement in the cold air. Pollution particles also get mixed in this air and are not able to rise up, due to which the pollution also gets locked with the cold air. This is the reason why pollution increases in winter. This becomes the cause of smog and fog.
Question 3- So does pollution increase in winter in all countries?
answer- It is not necessary that where there is winter, pollution will increase. Pollution does not arise in winter, rather if there is pollution, it gets locked due to winter. There are many countries in the world, where the average temperature remains less than 5 degrees Celsius, but there is not even a trace of pollution.
There is a list of countries with low air pollution and clean air quality. Iceland is a country where the temperature remains between 3 to 5 degrees Celsius. Apart from these, Finland, Canada, New Zealand and Denmark are also included in this list.
Question 4- Does pollution outside affect the inside of the house too?
answer- Yes, pollution also affects the indoor air. The pollutants from the outside air also contaminate the air inside our house. Lack of ventilation in the home can help pollutants enter homes. If the polluted elements get included in the air of the house and there are not many windows etc. in the house for the air to go out, then the polluted elements are not able to come out and get accumulated in the air of the house.
The presence of bacteria, viruses, fungi and dust particles can also make the people living in the house sick. That is why it is advisable to plant well-ventilated trees around the house, because most trees release oxygen and take in carbon dioxide. In Delhi, due to pollution, people have started installing air filters in their homes. More precautions have to be taken in the winter season.
Question 5- How will the winter pattern be different in India this year?
answer- It started getting very cold on the surface of the Pacific Ocean around the equator in the first week of October, which means that this time the winters will be very harsh. Monsoon also came early in India and there was 8% more rainfall than average. Due to this the summers were not very hot. Now winter has arrived before time.
According to meteorologists, there is a possibility of a huge drop in temperature in North India, that is, the cold wave will last longer in the states of North India. The temperature may go much below normal, which will increase the effect of cold and fog. Even in the hilly states, snowfall may start early and is expected to continue till late. This will also affect tourism. While on one hand the crowd of tourists will increase for the snowy views, on the other hand the local administration will have to make more preparations to deal with road closures and cold. Also, it will be necessary to control pollution.
