New Delhi's Air Quality Throughout 2020 Has Never Worn Today

A residential area shrouded in smog in New Delhi, India, Monday, 9 November 2020 (Source: Antara)

JAKARTA - Tuesday, November 10, the air quality in the Indian capital, New Delhi, fell to its worst level so far this year. This triggered complaints from residents on social media about dry eyes, sore throats and difficulty breathing amid the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

Overall, the air quality index includes a count of PM2.5 particles reaching 488 from a scale of 500. The government confirmed this to be the worst in 2020. The day before, Monday, November 9, the air quality index was at 477.

The data shows particulate matter PM2.5 which can be deadly because it causes heart and respiratory vascular disease, and even lung cancer. The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that New Delhi's air quality has been at an unsafe level 30 times.

While New Delhi is experiencing the third wave of coronavirus infection, it is also facing the worst period of pollution in recent years. Part of the cause is burning of crop waste in neighboring areas and exhaust gases from local vehicles.

"About 85 percent of households in Delhi have at least one family member who complains of difficulty breathing, and a host of other symptoms," said Sachin Taparia, founder of LocalCircles, a social media platform that surveyed nearly six thousand families on Nov. 6-9 about the impact of air pollution.

Pollution in New Delhi was almost non-existent in the early days of the year, when the government imposed a national lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, pollution conditions have returned since a number of regulations were relaxed at the end of August.

Authorities have banned the sale and use of firecrackers ahead of the Diwali festival as part of efforts to reduce pollution, but environmentalists are calling on the government to take bigger steps.

"The air in Delhi has turned dangerous. Coal-fired power plants must be shut down immediately, as should construction activities," said Vimlendu Jha, founder of the non-profit organization Swechha.

On the other hand, the government and business players are worried that the cessation of industrial activity will hit the economy and bring down the Indian economy like in the second quarter of this year.

SAFAR, India's premier environmental regulatory agency, estimates that severe conditions can occur within 24 hours due to stagnant winds and increased humidity levels - trapping pollutants in the air for longer.