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Air quality during Diwali best in last three years

SAFAR report credits SC ban on sale of firecrackers, dry weather in Delhi

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The report cited a drop in the level of emissions from fireworks by 40%
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Air quality in the Capital during Diwali was the cleanest in the last three years, a study has revealed. The study has cited a ban on the sale of firecrackers by the Supreme Court as the reason behind it.

According to the report released by System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), a Central government air quality monitoring agency, the level of emissions from fireworks dropped by nearly 40 per cent this Diwali, as compared to 2016.

“Level of particulates did shoot up a day after Diwali, but the dispersion was quicker and the air quality returned to pre-Diwali level within three days,” SAFAR stated in the report, released on Sunday. 

It further stated: “As compared to emissions from fireworks in 2016, the dip was significant — 50 per cent on October 19 (Diwali night), 25 per cent on October 20 (when the pollution peaked), and 45 per cent on October 21.”

Despite the ban on the sale of firecrackers, the air quality turned “severe” for the first time in 2017, a day after Diwali. Explaining the reason behind it, SAFAR project director Gufran Beig said reduction in emissions from a particular source and reduction in levels of pollution were not linearly related or directly proportional.

He explained how the “incredible”amount of fireworks on Diwali night, despite the relative reduction, led to trapping of smoke in the air and a rapid build-up of pollutants. 

“Emissions slow down local wind movement as air becomes heavy. It’s like the heaviness in air one feels in a room when the number of occupants goes up, say from five to 20. But subsequently, the air cleaned up faster this time due to warmer temperature and dry conditions,” Beig said.

“The ban on crackers certainly had an impact. The days that preceded and followed Diwali saw restraint from people. Usually, crackers are set off before and after the actual night of festivities as well. The real impact could be seen on October 20,” he added.

As compared to last year, the air quality had been good after Diwali as the smoke from stubble-burning regions in Punjab and Haryana had not reached Delhi, he said.

THE STUDY

  • As compared to 2016, the air quality had been good after Diwali as the smoke from stubble-burning regions in Punjab and Haryana had not reached Delhi.

 

  • The study was based on meteorological data including wind speed and direction, and satellite estimate of emissions.
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