Indira Gandhi International Airport recorded the worst smog in 17 years on Nov 2, with visibility as low as 300-400 metres

Gosh! Delhi faces worst smog in 17 years post Diwali! See Photos

Saturday, 5 November 2016 - 5:57pm Archana Venkatraman

The smog in Delhi on November 2, 2016, just days after Diwali celebrations has been rated as the ‘worst smog case in 17 years’ by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Visibility continues to remain poor and people including children are choking as pollution peaks in the capital as Delhiites share photos on Twitter.

Delhi Smog worst in 17 years after Diwali

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport recorded the worst levels of smog in 17 years on November 2, with visibility as low as 300-400 metres. The period between 11AM and 2:30 PM was the worst in the day with respect to airport visibility. The post-Diwali smog reduced the visibility there to 800-1,200 m since October 30

The environmental watchdog calls for Delhi government to issue emergency health alerts and warn children to stay indoors while permanent measures are taken to curb pollution and save lives.

Delhi Pollution Control Committee data shows that levels of PM2.5 have increased by 62.7 per cent on November 2 as compared to that on Diwali. On November 2, the levels were 9.4 times the standard.

On the night of November 1, (12 am to 6 in the morning of 2nd November), the PM2.5 concentration had hit 548 microgramme per cubic metre (cu m) -- 9 times the standard. The following day (November 2), PM2.5 concentrations (6 am to 12 noon) increased to 696.25 microgramme per cu m -- 11.6 times the standard. The morning concentration was 27.1 per cent higher compared to the night time concentration. The hourly averages were as high as 800-900 microgramme per cubic metres.

What is PM 2.5 in air pollution and what does that mean?

Particulate matter (PM) is a term used to describe the mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets in the air. Some examples include dust, ash and sea-spray.

PM2.5 is also known as fine particulate matter (2.5 micrometres is one 400th of a millimetre). Particles less than 2.5 µm (micrometres) are called PM 2.5. They are approximately 1/30th the average width of a human hair.

Long-term exposure to PM2.5 is said to cause the biggest impact of particulate air pollution on public health. It increases the age-specific mortality risk, particularly from cardiovascular causes, according to UK government.

Exposure to high concentrations of PM (e.g. during short-term pollution episodes) can also exacerbate lung and heart conditions, significantly affecting quality of life, and increase deaths and hospital admissions. Children, the elderly and those with predisposed respiratory and cardiovascular disease, are known to be more susceptible to it.

Below are some photos of Smog and Pollution in Delhi as shared by public on Twitter:

Delhi engilfed in smog - photo shared on Twitter by a local

Smoggy sunset shared by a visitor to Delhi city

Look at the smog in Delhi this afternoon.Its an emergency situation.I hope the govts can hear the alarm bell. #RealEmergency pic.twitter.com/1Ia8U1nwr8
— Sudhir Chaudhary (@sudhirchaudhary) November 5, 2016

Delhi must act NOW

“Delhi needs strong action to protect people from such deadly exposure,” says Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director (research and advocacy), CSE and head of CSE’s air pollution and sustainable mobility teams.

She warns: “Delhi needs an effective winter pollution mitigation plan that can make a difference. Without strong action smog is only expected to get worse this winter at serious public health costs.”