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Haze Over Delhi

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June 17, 2018

Why in news?

  • Haze loomed over Delhi and its adjoining areas for over a week.
  • The air quality index reflected a "severe" degradation in air quality in Delhi.

How has pollution been in Delhi?

  • Delhi witnessed high pollution levels in the recent winter.
  • Stubble burning in the neighbourhood regions was cited as the main reason.
  • Smoke from brick kilns and vehicular emissions added to the air pollution.
  • The weather patterns in winter season contributed for the sustenance of the pollution.
  • However, the current haze, in summer, cannot be attributed to these.

What are the reasons?

  • Delhi now witnesses high levels of dust, causing haze, reducing visibility.
  • It also resulted in particulate matter (PM) levels shooting to over 8 times the normal range.
  • Dust storms originating from Rajasthan and wind direction are said to be the cause.
  • But besides this, local sources of pollution are also said to be the reasons.

How to address this?

  • Emergency measures will have to be soon initiated and all construction activity stopped.
  • Delhi government has been directed to carry out water sprinkling to bring down the PM levels.
  • Modelling and measurements to evaluate the exact sources of the dust particles are essential to deal with it.
  • Cities like Delhi require a green belt around it to reduce pollution levels.
  • But greening open spaces or reforestation of land largely remain as concepts.
  • Delhi needs long term planning and systematic research on dealing with the perpetual problem of pollution.

 

Source: BusinessLine

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