A week after Diwali, Delhi continues to remain enveloped in smog despite light showers in several parts of the city since yesterday. Although the mild spell led to a marginal drop in the Air Quality Index (AQI), the pollution levels continued to remain in “severe category”, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) measuring 447 at 9 am.
On Saturday, the air pollution in national capital triggered sharp reactions from Union Minister Prakash Javadekar who attacked Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for “politicising the issue”.
“I feel it is very unfortunate that the Delhi chief minister is politicising the issue of pollution and indulging in blame game instead of finding a solution. He is instigating children to send letters to Haryana and Punjab chief ministers to present them in a bad light and as villains,” the minister said on Saturday.
With farmers continuing to defy the ban on stubble burning, a blanket of haze engulfed Punjab and Haryana that also extended to Delhi. The capital city’s air quality is likely to remain “severe” due to calm winds, which is unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants, according to government air quality monitor SAFAR.
Nov 03, 2019 15:58 (IST)
Don’t politicise pollution, need to sit together and find solution to stubble burning: Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said the issue of pollution should not be “politicised” and called on all neighbouring states and the Centre to “sit together” and deliberate on how to prevent stubble burning as the air quality in the national capital dipped to alarming levels.
Delhi CM: All scientists & experts are saying that pollution from stubble burning is coming to Delhi, due to which there is pollution everywhere. We don't want to do any blame game, there should be no politics at this stage.All governments should come together &discuss the issue. pic.twitter.com/gxAlkVMKgN
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2019
Nov 03, 2019 14:41 (IST)
Delhi Air Pollution: Rajasthan Chief Minister Urges Centre To Take Charge On Pollution
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said that Centre should take precedence over Delhi Government to control pollution. Pollution level has reached “severe plus” category.
Nov 03, 2019 14:41 (IST)
All schools in Ghaziabad shut till November 5 due to deteriorating air quality.
Nov 03, 2019 14:09 (IST)
Delhi Air Pollution: Top Court To Take Pollution Authority’s Report On Pollution
Nov 03, 2019 14:05 (IST)
Nov 03, 2019 12:27:28 (IST)
Delhi Air Pollution: “Pollution Has Reached Unbearable Levels,” Tweets Arvind Kejriwal
Latest visuals from outside Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Delhi: Latest visuals from outside Arun Jaitley Stadium. India will play Bangladesh in the first T20i match, later today. pic.twitter.com/KehNVZ1Zd1
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2019
Nov 03, 2019 14:05:28 (IST)
Light rains in NCR but air quality remains ‘severe’; flight operations affected
The mild spell of rain in Delhi and NCR on Sunday morning failed to provide any respite from the ‘severe’ levels of pollution in the region. Poor air quality has also affected flight operations in the national capital and 32 flights have been diverted this morning from 9 am to 12 pm.
Nov 03, 2019 13:59:28 (IST)
Delhi Air Pollution: Uttar Pradesh Minister Says Stubble Burning Is “Natural System”
Nov 03, 2019 13:37
Delhi pollution: 32 flights diverted from IGI airport due to low visibility
Thirty-two flights were diverted from Delhi airport on Sunday morning due to low visibility caused by pollution, airport officials said.
“Total 32 flights have been diverted from Delhi airport on Sunday morning due to bad weather,” they said.
Nov 03, 2019 13:02
“In God’s Own Country….”: NITI Aayog Boss On Delhi Air Pollution
Delhi Air Pollution Sparks Health Concerns
Amid rise in air pollution in Delhi, residents have complained of eye irritation and suffocation due to deteriorating air quality. People are advised to wear N95 masks whenever they are out to reduce health risk.
Nov 03, 2019 13:02
Delhi Air Pollution: AAP’s Atishi Takes Jibe At Prakash Javadekar Over Air Pollution
A day after Union Minister Prakash Javadekar attacked Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal for “politicizing” the issue of air pollution in the national capital, Aam Aadmi Party leader Atishi today raised several questions on the issue. In a tweet, she questioned the Union Minister about the steps taken by the centre to prevent air pollution.
Nov 03, 2019 11:18
Delhi-NCR Air Pollution: Noida Schools Closed Till Tuesday
Schools in Noida will remain closed on Monday and Tuesday due to air pollution, district administration said today.
Nov 03, 2019 11:15
Air Pollution Shoots Up In Noida, Faridabad
Nov 03, 2019 11:12
Nov 03, 2019 11:08
Delhi Air Pollution: SpiceJet Says Poor Visibility May Delay Flight In Delhi
The Ill-effects Of POLLUTION
The ill effects of pollution on our ecosystem and on our health is well known and ¡s often discussed in detail by one and all. There are various types of pollution that have an impact on the body in their own way and their health hazards are briefly summarized here.
Air Pollution
Air pollution from dust, automobile exhausts, toxic fumes from factories, burning of plastic waste, use of fire crackers, smoking etc. is one of the major forms of pollution worldwide and more so, in India. Although the respiratory system is the major organ that gets affected, it can also act as a portal to the pollutants which affect the liver, bone marrow etc.
Starting from the condition of allergic rhinitis to bronchitis and asthma. most of the urban population seems to be affected by pollutants in the air. The huge increase in the number of people suffering from respiratory allergy or reactive airways is a pointer. Most people suffering from respiratory allergy are highly prone to develop recurrent respiratory tract infection leading to pneumonia.
Let us also not forget the smaller but also important segment of occupational lung disease related to the poor air quality affecting factory workers. employees in the mining industry etc. Chronic exposure to pollutants in this setting can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPO) and even forms of lung cancer. Therefore, periodic evaluation, use of protective gear and strict norms for limiting exposure is mandatory.
Water Pollution
The pollution of water can occur at various levels. The use of chemical fertilizers which can seep in to the water, sewage contamination and toxic effluents from industries are some sources of water pollution. The digestive system is the major organ that gets affected with water pollution. Bacterial, viral and protozoal infections spreading through contaminated water cause waterborne illnesses including diarrhoeal diseases, typhoid, hepatitis. etc. All age groups could be affected with this including infants, children and senior citizens.
Noise Pollution
High frequency hearing loss which is mostly asymptomatic and related to noise pollution, affects the general population and is sometimes occupation related. The increasing prevalence of this effect of noise pollution should urge us to ask for more stringent norms to limiting this kind of pollution.
Radioactive Pollution
The increasing use of nuclear energy can lead to higher incidence of cancers, infertility and also birth defects in children.
Other Forms Of Pollution
The other kinds of pollution including soil contamination, light pollution etc. are emerging as major factors which affect not just the human race but also the already stressed environment. Every individual should try to take up the responsibility to overcome the challenge of environmental pollution and limit the damage to an already fragile ecosystem. This could be the only way we can try to prevent the disturbing trend of environmental illnesses prevailing or increasing.