Date 1–9 November 2016 | Location Delhi, India | |
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The Great Smog of Delhi is marked as one of the worst visualization of how bad air quality had become in New Delhi and adjoining areas in the National Capital Territory of India, between 1 to 9 November 2016. Air Pollution at this time peaked on both PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels. This is reported as one of the worst levels of Air Quality in Delhi since 1999.
Contents
Source of pollution
This is still being investigated as of writing, but the current majority of analysis sources are hinting towards colder weather, stagnant winds trapping the various sources of smoke. Primary sources of smoke being those from the burning of crop stubbles, lit garbage and road dust. This period also coincided with the Indian festival Diwali, which is celebrated by firing firecrackers.
Air quality can be measured by the amount of PM 2.5 and PM 10 particulates suspended in air. During the reported Smog in Delhi. On Nov 7th, 2016 the PM 2.5 levels shot up to 999, while recommended is 60 micrograms. At the same time PM 10 shot to 999, instead of the recommended limit of 100
Visibility had reduced to about 200 meters around Nov 7th, 2016.
Weather
The temperature in New Delhi during this period was between 19 to 21 degree c (~66 degree f).
Health effects
Delhi government declared a health advisory
Control measures
The Chief Minister of Delhi at that time, Arvind Kejriwal came out with the below proposed action items to attempt reduce the air pollution
- All Delhi schools will remain shut for the next 3 days.
- For the next 5 days, no construction and demolition work will take place in Delhi.
- All diesel generator sets have been banned for the next 10 days, except at hospitals and in emergencies.
- The Delhi government will supply power to unauthorized colonies which use diesel generators.
- The coal-based Badarpur power plant will be shut down for 10 days. There will be no fly ash transportation from the power plant.
- The Environment department will launch an app to monitor the burning of leaves.
- Vacuum cleaning of roads will start from November 10.
- Water sprinkling will start on all roads from tomorrow.
- People should stay at home as much as they can and they should try working from home.
- If need be, the odd-even traffic scheme+ will be brought back for a short while.
It has been under public debate how much, if any, of the above steps actually helped curtail the pollution. Various bodies blamed various sources for the cause of the smog.
Longer term measures
On November 25, 2016, the Supreme Court of India banned the sale of firecrackers in Delhi to alleviate pollution.
In another measure, the Badarpur power plant will remain shut at least until January 31, 2017. This power plant is very old and polluting, and even before the Great Smog, environmentalists had advocated for its permanent shutdown.