Delhi witnesses worst smog in 17 years: CSE | Latest News Delhi - Hindustan Times
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Delhi witnesses worst smog in 17 years: CSE

Hindustan Times | By, New Delhi
Nov 04, 2016 02:13 PM IST

Delhi on Wednesday witnessed the worst spell of smog in 17 years, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said.

Delhi on Wednesday witnessed the worst spell of smog in 17 years, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said.

Students cover faces as heavy smog covers capital’s skyline, in Mayur Vihar in New Delhi.(Sushil Kumar/HT Photo)
Students cover faces as heavy smog covers capital’s skyline, in Mayur Vihar in New Delhi.(Sushil Kumar/HT Photo)

Experts said the situation should be now treated as an emergency and effort should be made to protect children and the old. “This demands emergency response to protect the vulnerable — those who are suffering from respiratory and heart diseases and children. The government should aggressively inform all and advise them to stay indoors and avoid outdoor exercises. At the same time, it should roll out stringent winter pollution control for all sources along with emergency action,” said Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).

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The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said Wednesday’s smog is the worst that the city has witnessed in a long time, and visibility last hit this low in late 90s.

At the Indira Gandhi International Airport the visibility was as low as 300-400 metres. The period between 11am and 2.30pm was the worst in the day with respect to airport visibility.

Read: Dense fog causes 20-car pile-up on Yamuna Expressway, 12 injured

The post-Diwali smog reduced the visibility there to 800-1,200m since October 30. Pollution during Diwali, other sources of pollution along with weather-related factors lead to such abnormal levels.

CSE’s analysis of post-Diwali pollution levels have also showed that the level of the toxic smog in the city has spiked compared to Diwali day.

The level of particulate matter finer than 2.5 micrometers was 62.7% percentage higher than the levels on Sunday.

Read| India’s air quality among world’s worst over Diwali weekend: Report

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  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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    Soumya Pillai covers environment and traffic in Delhi. A journalist for three years, she has grown up in and with Delhi, which is often reflected in the stories she does about life in the city. She also enjoys writing on social innovations.

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