Supreme Court Directs Delhi-NCR States to Enforce GRAP-IV Curbs Amid Rising AQI

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 11:51am on 18 Nov 2024,Monday Weather & Environment

The Supreme Court has instructed Delhi-NCR states to establish teams to enforce Stage 4 restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) immediately. The court emphasized that these measures should remain in place even if the Air Quality Index (AQI) drops below 450. Concerned about the delay in action, the court also urged states to consider halting physical classes for students up to Class 12 due to health risks. The Supreme Court also directed the Centre to improve satellite data for monitoring stubble burning, a key pollution source.

Read More at India Today

Delhi-NCR Enforces GRAP-4 as AQI Hits "Severe Plus"; Diesel Vehicles, Classes Impacted

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:09pm on 17 Nov 2024,Sunday Weather & Environment

Delhi-NCR implemented GRAP Stage 4 anti-pollution measures on Monday after the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a "severe plus" level of 457. Restrictions include a ban on diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles (BS-IV or below), except those carrying essentials. Non-essential light commercial vehicles and trucks entering Delhi are prohibited unless running on LNG, CNG, BS-VI diesel, or electric power. Classes 6-9 and 11 move online, and NCR offices must operate at 50% capacity. Vehicles contribute 15.8% of pollution, while stubble burning accounted for 25% on Saturday. PM2.5 remains the primary pollutant, posing significant health risks.

Read More at Hindustan Times

Delhi Air Pollution: AQI Remains Severe for 4th Day; Smog Blankets NCR, Schools Shift Online

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:30am on 16 Nov 2024,Saturday Weather & Environment

Delhi's air quality index (AQI) stayed in the 'severe' category for the fourth consecutive day, with Shadipur recording 457. Thick smog enveloped Delhi-NCR, prompting a ban on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles, with violators fined ₹20,000. Interstate non-CNG buses and private construction activities were also prohibited. Staggered timings for government offices were introduced to ease traffic. Schools up to Class 5 shifted online, while additional public transport services were launched. Stubble burning accounted for 33% of pollution, with PM2.5 as the prominent pollutant, posing severe health risks.

Read More at Hindustan Times

4.2 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Gujarat, Tremors Felt in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 06:11pm on 15 Nov 2024,Friday Weather & Environment

A 4.2 magnitude earthquake shook parts of northern Gujarat, including Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Mehsana, at 10:15 pm on Friday. According to the Institute of Seismological Research, Gandhinagar, the epicentre was located 13 km south-southwest of Patan in Banaskantha district. Fortunately, no casualties or property damage have been reported so far. Residents in affected areas reported mild tremors but no panic ensued. Authorities remain on alert, monitoring the situation closely. This incident highlights Gujarat's vulnerability to seismic activity. Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.

Read More at India Today

Delhi Air Quality Remains Severe for 3rd Day, AQI at 409; GRAP Stage 3 Measures Enforced

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:11am on 15 Nov 2024,Friday Weather & Environment

Delhi’s air quality remained in the severe category for the third consecutive day, with an AQI of 409 reported on Friday. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, 21 out of 39 monitoring stations in the city recorded severe levels, with some areas like Jahangirpuri reaching an AQI of 458. The Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 3 restrictions were implemented, banning certain vehicles and construction activities while shifting primary classes online. The city government has also introduced measures such as water sprinkling on major roads, aiming to reduce pollution aggravated by stagnant weather and crop burning.

Read More at India Today

Delhi’s Air Quality Reaches Severe Level; GRAP-3 Restrictions May Be Imminent

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:10pm on 14 Nov 2024,Thursday Weather & Environment

Delhi’s AQI hit a severe level of 428, raising concerns about air quality and potential restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage 3. While stricter measures were considered, Environment Minister Gopal Rai noted that GRAP-3 restrictions, which include halting construction and limiting certain vehicles, have not yet been enforced due to predicted short-term improvements. GRAP-3 enforces severe pollution controls, including suspension of demolition activities, additional water sprinkling, and potential online classes for primary schools. Officials emphasize cooperation with nearby regions, as 34% of Delhi’s pollution originates from outside the capital.

Read More at India Today

Delhi Air Quality Hits Severe Levels as Smog Reduces Visibility; AQI Reaches 432, Anand Vihar Records 473

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 05:33am on 14 Nov 2024,Thursday Weather & Environment

Delhi’s air quality worsened as the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a severe level of 432 on Thursday morning, with Anand Vihar recording an AQI of 473. Visibility at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport dropped to 500 meters, causing flight delays. Several areas, including Ashok Vihar, Jahangirpuri, and Patparganj, reported AQI levels above 450. Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva criticized the AAP government’s “inefficiency” in addressing pollution, attributing the crisis to stubble burning and road dust. He called for school closures and urged residents to avoid outdoor activities. Airlines issued advisories to passengers about potential flight disruptions.

Read More at India Today

Delhi Becomes World's Most Polluted City as AQI Hits 1,000

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 12:12pm on 13 Nov 2024,Wednesday Weather & Environment

Delhi became the world's most polluted city with an AQI of over 1,000, marking the worst air quality of the year. The hazardous levels of particulate matter, known as PM2.5, severely reduced visibility, causing flight cancellations and health risks. The pollution is driven by a mix of industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and farm fires in nearby states. Delhi’s air quality is 30 to 35 times higher than the safe limit, with residents experiencing breathing difficulties, headaches, and eye irritation. The city battles severe pollution every winter due to its geographical challenges.

Read More at The Independent

BJP Urges Delhi to Close Schools Amid Hazardous Pollution

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 11:27am on 13 Nov 2024,Wednesday Weather & Environment

Delhi’s air quality reached dangerous levels, with an AQI of 366, prompting BJP leaders to demand urgent school closures up to Class 5. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva criticized the Aam Aadmi Party for failing to control pollution, describing Delhi as a "gas chamber" where people struggle to breathe. He highlighted that both PM 2.5 and PM 10 particles have risen drastically, affecting visibility and causing health issues. Sachdeva also pointed out a lack of clinics to help vulnerable groups. The pollution, compounded by cold weather and crop-burning in nearby states, continues to affect Delhi’s residents.

Read More at Hindustan Times

Investigation Reveals Delhi Waste-to-Energy Plant’s Toxic Emissions Endangering Over 1 Million Residents

Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 08:30am on 12 Nov 2024,Tuesday Weather & Environment

A five-year investigation by The New York Times reveals that Delhi’s Timarpur-Okhla waste-to-energy plant is emitting hazardous toxins, including cadmium, lead, and arsenic, posing severe health risks to over a million residents. Despite its eco-friendly claims, the plant has reportedly been illegally dumping toxic ash in residential areas near southeast Delhi, including spaces close to schools and parks. Established in 2012 to reduce landfill waste by converting 2,000 tons of trash daily into 23 megawatts of electricity, the plant now stands accused of creating an environmental and public health crisis for the city’s inhabitants.

Read More at The Times Of India

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