Air pollution levels in Delhi and NCR remain in the severe category. Due to this the government took a major step on Wednesday and decided to ban Ola-Uber cabs and complete closure of all schools for 9 days.
Black smoke from vehicles and stubble burning in neighboring states is choking Delhi’s air. NASA has already released the satellite images. The image shows that the pollution is not limited to Delhi-NCR, the smog extends from Pakistan to the Bay of Bengal.
A shocking picture emerged amid the spread of air pollution in Delhi-NCR. An image released by NASA’s Worldview satellite shows the black and toxic plumes of pollution rising from Pakistan’s Punjab into the Bay of Bengal. Data shows that pollution is the cause of increase in stubble burning in northern Indian states.
According to data provided by NASA, there has been a sharp increase in farm fires since October 29. In Punjab on October 29 there was a 740 percent increase in stubble burning, including fires in 1,068 farms. This is the highest number in a single day in cases of hay burning.
Delhi is number one in pollution
Air quality index reached 500 in some parts of Delhi on Wednesday morning. New Delhi has topped the list of the world’s most polluted cities for the past six days. The Delhi government has announced several new restrictions after the air quality reached the critical category. Apart from banning Ola-Uber, it has been decided to shut down all schools in Delhi from November 9 to November 18. Also, the government is going to implement odd-even scheme for private vehicles as well.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Supreme Court expressed concern over pollution and asked the governments of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan to immediately discuss with the Center how to prevent field fires. The court said, it cannot be allowed to become a political fight.
