Delhi may see best Diwali day air quality in 8 years if firecracker ban works
The Hindu
Delhiites woke to clear skies and best air quality in 8 years on Diwali day; favourable meteorological conditions, including light rain & wind speed, led to sharp improvement.
A stringent enforcement of the ban on firecrackers holds the promise of delivering the best air quality on Diwali day in eight years for Delhi on Sunday.
Delhiites woke up to clear skies and abundant sunshine, and the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 202 at 7 a.m., the best in at least three weeks.
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', 401 and 450 'severe' and above 450 'severe plus'.
Saturday's 24-hour average air quality index stood at 220, the lowest for the day before Diwali in eight years.
This time, Delhi saw a sharp improvement in air quality just ahead of Diwali which can be attributed to intermittent rainfall on Friday and wind speed favourable for the dispersion of pollutants.
Also read: How Diwali continues to be a festival that transcends religious barriers
To put this in perspective, Thursday's 24-hour average AQI stood at 437.
Congress alleges BJP government in Madhya Pradesh plans to privatise 40% of forests, displacing tribals from their habitat.
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi advocates renaming Indus Valley Civilization to Saraswathi Civilization, challenging historical narratives.
A study by researchers from NIMHANS, in collaboration with doctors from Australia, United Kingdom and some states in India, has found suicidal ideation and suicide attempts alarmingly high among college students across the country.
First trial run of disposing 10-tonne Union Carbide toxic waste in Pithampur begins after Supreme Court's decision.
Telangana tunnel collapse rescue updates: Follow the Hindu’s updates as Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel rescue operations enter the 11th day
First trial run of disposing 10-tonne Union Carbide toxic waste in Pithampur begins after Supreme Court's decision.
Rwanda-backed M23 rebels abduct 130 patients from hospitals in eastern Congo, escalating conflict and sparking international concern.
Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi advocates renaming Indus Valley Civilization to Saraswathi Civilization, challenging historical narratives.
Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin increases financial aid for fishermen affected by Sri Lankan Navy, urges lasting solution.
Smooth SSLC exam day in Ernakulam with easy Malayalam paper, proper revision sessions, and over 32,900 students across 325 centers.
Ash Monday dissent by Catholic Nazrani Sangham against Syro-Malabar Church circular on Mass celebrations.
Gade Srinivasulu Naidu wins North Coastal Andhra Pradesh Teachers' Constituency election with overwhelming support from teachers.
‘Sati Sulochana’, the first Kannada talkie, was remembered in a session during the ongoing 16th Bengaluru International Film Festival