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Jasjeev Gandhiok
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Wind speed brings down AQI but farm fires double

Farm fires in Punjab surged to their highest levels this season, prompting experts to sound warnings of severe air pollution in the Capital in the coming week even though there was a slight respite on Wednesday, and sparking a political war of words over the annual crisis.

Heavy smog has been deteriorating the city’s air quality, as seen here early morning at Majlis Park in New Delhi, India, on Wednesday, November 2, 2022. (HT Photos)
Updated on Nov 03, 2022 12:56 AM IST
ByJasjeev Gandhiok, Soumya Pillai and Vishal Rambani, New Delhi/sangrur

Fires, dust, weather plunge Delhi into air emergency

Delhi breathed its filthiest air of the season on Tuesday, when the air quality index (AQI) jumped to the “severe” zone for the first time this season, as a lethal combination of farm fires in northern states, still local winds, dust from construction sites, and cool temperatures pushed the Capital headlong into a pollution emergency.

A man carries a sack along the road in front of India Gate amid smoggy conditions in New Delhi on November 1, 2022. (AFP)
Updated on Nov 02, 2022 07:19 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Why air in Anand Vihar, Vivek Vihar is more polluted than Delhi avg

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said DPCC has identified ongoing construction work on the Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor, local dust and pollution from diesel buses plying from a bus terminus on the Uttar Pradesh side as the three key reasons for higher pollution at these locations

A dense blanket of smog shrouds Kaushambi in Delhi in the early hours of Sunday. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)
Updated on Nov 01, 2022 12:19 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Alarm bells ring as Delhi’s AQI enters ‘severe’ zone

Delhi’s AQI hit the season’s high so far on Saturday, when pollution gauges read 397 at 4pm.

Commuters in Anand Vihar, the most polluted area in Delhi, on Sunday. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)
Updated on Nov 01, 2022 12:20 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Delhi skies turn sepia as farm fire smoke shrouds Capital

Air quality in the next seven days could be worse as the fires peak during the first week of November. Last year, the contribution of stubble burning had touched 36% on November 5 and 48% on November 7, Safar data show. In 2020, the contribution of stubble burning touched a peak of 42% on November 5

A thick haze at India Gate in Delhi on Sunday. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)
Updated on Oct 31, 2022 01:12 PM IST
By, New Delhi

Delhi: Sanjay Lake to be first water body to get wetland tag

The wetland tag, which ensures legal protection and funds for renovations, will be extended to at least 19 other water bodies in Delhi.

Sanjay Lake, spread over 52 acres, and the 120-odd acres that surround it are under the jurisdiction of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)
Published on Oct 30, 2022 11:49 PM IST
ByRisha Chitlangia and Jasjeev Gandhiok

Spike in Delhi pollution as winter spiral begins

The air quality index (AQI) slumped from an uncharacteristically clean 271 on Wednesday to 354 on Thursday, according to the 4pm bulletins released on both days by the Central Pollution Control Board.

A blanket of smog over the Yamuna River near Kalindi Kunj, in New Delhi, India, on Thursday, October 27, 2022. (Hindustan Times)
Published on Oct 27, 2022 11:55 PM IST
By, New Delhi

Why the Yamuna in Delhi froths every year: An explainer

Every year on Chhath, thousands of devotees take a dip in the river at several ghats to celebrate the four-day festival. Last year too, hundreds of devotees were seen taking a dip in the river at Kalindi Kunj despite a heavy layer of foam over the water surface

A thick layer of foam blankets the Yamuna river near Kalindi Kunj on Thursday. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)
Updated on Oct 28, 2022 02:37 PM IST
By, New Delhi

Over 60% paddy area in Punjab still to be cleared, more farm fires to come: CAQM

State data showed that on Thursday Punjab recorded 1,111 farm fires, taking the number of farm fires of this season to 8147.

A farmer burns paddy stubble in Punjab. (PTI)
Updated on Oct 28, 2022 05:04 AM IST
By, New Delhi:

Strong winds, lower farm fires help Delhi avert air disaster

Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) worsened from 259 (poor) at 4pm a day before Diwali to 312 (very poor) on Monday, but then fell to 303 on Tuesday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) daily bulletin

A relatively clear view of India Gate in Delhi the morning after Diwali. (Arvind Yadav/HT Photo)
Updated on Oct 26, 2022 07:11 AM IST
By, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Delhi cracker ban turns to ashes, violations go undeterred

Officials and residents conceded that firecrackers were burst, while data shared by the Delhi Police suggested there was little enforcement of the ban: there were 23 cases registered relating to the use and sale of firecrackers in the last 24 days.

People burst firecrackers in Delhi on Diwali. (PTI)
Updated on Oct 26, 2022 10:43 AM IST
By, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

No check on crackers but wind, sun aid city

The national capital witnessed the unfettered use of firecrackers across the city on Diwali, but the city was spared the toxic aftermath of flagrant violations as strong winds washed away much of the pollutants that choked the city’s air on Monday evening.

Morning walkers out in the smog, a day after Diwali, in New Delhi, India, on Tuesday, October 25, 2022. (Hindustan Times)
Published on Oct 25, 2022 11:18 PM IST
By, New Delhi

Poisonous cocktail in crackers cause lasting damage to health

Every year, on Diwali, the concentration of ultra-fine PM2.5 particles that contain a variety of heavy metals and toxic chemical compounds multiplies manifold between evening and the next morning as people set off firecrackers.

The study, which surveyed clusters based on neighbourhoods, found that after Diwali, people in one of these densely packed residential areas, Kotla, reported more instances of fever and fatigue. (AP Photo)
Updated on Oct 23, 2022 06:45 AM IST
ByJasjeev Gandhiok and Soumya Pillai, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Calm wind, farm fires signal polluted Diwali

The contribution of farm residue burning across the northern plains is expected to rise to 15-18% by the day after Diwali

A layer of smog covers Kartavya Path in New Delhi on Saturday. (ANI Photo)
Updated on Oct 23, 2022 07:33 AM IST
By, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Fish in Najafgarh drain died of pollution, sewage in July: Report

The Najafgarh drain connects the Najafgarh Jheel to the Yamuna, with several drains from Haryana bringing sewage, sludge and effluents to the lake.

Officials found that of the eight locations they analysed in the drain, only two were found to be compliant with the general standards of discharge of environmental pollutants laid down by the CPCB. (HT Photo)
Updated on Oct 22, 2022 07:49 AM IST
By, Hindustan Times, New Delhi

Delhi has had its cleanest start to winter in years, shows report

New Delhi The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on Thursday released an analysis of winter pollution in Delhi since 2015, finding that this October has had the cleanest start to the winter season with respect to PM 2

An unusual spell of rain in Delhi in early October this year has helped suppressed pollutants in the region and cleaned up the air. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)
Published on Oct 21, 2022 12:00 AM IST

85% paddy area in Punjab yet to be cleared of stubble; late spike likely

Experts say with late rainfall spells in the region, data indicates harvesting is likely to have been delayed this year, with a considerable spike now expected in the peak harvest window of October 15 to November 15, where a majority of the remaining 85% paddy fields are likely to be cleared out.

A farmer burns paddy stubble on the outskirts of Amritsar in Punjab earlier this month. (AFP)
Updated on Oct 21, 2022 04:30 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Use of diesel gensets banned in NCR after forecast of ‘very poor’ air

The CAQM sub-committee convened an emergency meeting on Wednesday after forecasts by the Early Warning System (EWS) under the Union ministry of earth sciences showed that the air quality index (AQI) in Delhi will may touch the ‘very poor’ level by October 22 and could remain in this category for the subsequent six days

Delhi’s air quality actually showed an improvement on Wednesday, recording an AQI of 228, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s daily national bulletin, released at 4 pm each day. In comparison, it was 241 on Tuesday and 237 on Monday. (AFP)
Published on Oct 20, 2022 12:01 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Delhi's AQI poor, share of farm fires still low

The city's air quality deteriorated slightly over a 24-hour period to touch a reading of 241 as per the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) daily 4pm national bulletin.

The Central Pollution Control Board's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) data showed that at 9.05 am, Delhi's air quality was in the poor category at 242.
Published on Oct 19, 2022 04:44 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Air emergency looms as farm fires rage with rains receding

Satellite data from Nasa, collated by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, showed Punjab recorded 169 fires on Saturday, while Haryana recorded 36 fires. There were no fires recorded in UP

Farmers in the region set fire to paddy stubble during the end of October and early November, so as to not incur expenses associated with use of multiple stubble management machines, very short time available before the rabi (winter) crop is sown in the first week of November. (HT Archive)
Updated on Oct 17, 2022 03:11 PM IST

Butterfly census: 76 species spotted in Delhi’s biodiversity parks

The Biodiversity Parks Programme began the week-long census of butterflies species across seven biodiversity parks in Delhi last year onwards. Earlier, there used to be a single-day Big Butterfly Count.

Butterfly census: 76 species spotted in Delhi’s biodiversity parks
Updated on Oct 17, 2022 03:11 PM IST

Ban no bar: Delhi cracker sales continue unabated

New Delhi: There may be a complete ban on sale, manufacture, storage and use of all types of firecrackers in the Capital, but clandestine sales are continuing unabated – both online and in some of Delhi’s busiest markets ahead of Diwali

HT Image
Published on Oct 16, 2022 02:20 PM IST

Bomb threat at Terminal 3 of Delhi’s IGI airport, security forces on high alert

The Airport Operations Control Centre, after receiving the email around 11 pm on Thursday, alerted the Delhi Police and other security agencies to look into the incident immediately as soon as the flight lands

A CISF security jawan at the Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi. (Bloomberg File Photo)
Updated on Oct 14, 2022 12:47 PM IST

NGT order allowing for expansion of WtE plants sets wrong precedent, say activists, residents

An NGT order on Wednesday has allowed for the expansion of waste to energy (WtE) plants in the capital to proceed without an environmental clearance. Experts and activists say the Capital’s three existing WtE plants have violated pollution norms on multiple occasions, and a free reign for expansion sets a dangerous precedent

The National Green Tribunal offices in New Delhi . (HT File)
Updated on Oct 14, 2022 12:16 AM IST

Nights get cooler as Delhi records lowest min temp

With cooler northwesterly winds starting to blow towards Delhi-NCR, India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials say the nighttime temperature in Delhi is expected to remain below 20 degrees moving forward, with a drop to 16°C expected in the next seven days.

New Delhi, India - Nov. 6, 2020: Morning walkers out in warm clothes on a cold winter morning at Green Park, New Delhi, India, on Friday, November 6, 2020. (Photo by Amal KS/ Hindustan Times) (Amal KS/HT PHOTO)
Updated on Oct 14, 2022 10:50 AM IST
By, New Delhi

NGT penalises Delhi govt for failing to manage waste at landfill sites

In response to the penalty, a Delhi government official said the NGT order was being studied, and refused to comment further.

A flock of birds circles the Ghazipur landfill site in east Delhi. (HT File)
Updated on Oct 13, 2022 04:57 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Union minister reviews steps to curb pollution in NCR

According to officials aware of the matter, the minister said a participatory and coordinated approach by all states will yield positive results this winter, even as all stakeholders focused on tackling stubble burning in Tuesday’s meeting.

Morning haze envelops the skyline on the outskirts of New Delhi. (AP)
Updated on Oct 12, 2022 04:59 AM IST
By, New Delhi

Delhi sets new record: Wettest October since 1956

With 6.5mm of rainfall being added in the last 24 hours, Delhi has now received 128.2mm of rainfall, going past 122.5mm of rainfall it received last October to so far make it Delhi’s wettest October since 1956, when Delhi had received 236.2mm of rainfall

Commuters out in the rain near Lajpat Nagar bridge in New Delhi. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)
Updated on Oct 12, 2022 02:37 PM IST

Delhi sees its cleanest air day since August 2020

Monday’s AQI reading was an improvement on Sunday’s reading of 48, and was only surpassed by the reading on August 31, 2020, when the AQI was 41.

In terms of good air quality, 2022 has now emerged as the second most productive year with three good air days, behind only five days in 2020, a year which saw cleaner air largely due to the pandemic-induced restrictions. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)
Updated on Oct 11, 2022 05:33 AM IST

Delhi resets its rain record, sees 2nd wettest 24-hr spell of rainfall in 15 yrs

The city added another 7.4mm of rainfall between 8.30am and 5.30pm on Sunday, taking October’s rainfall total so far to 107.3mm—around seven times the normal monthly mark of 15.1mm. To be sure, Delhi received 122.5mm of rainfall in all of October last year.

A reflection of Jama Masjid in a puddle of water amid a light spell of rain, in New Delhi on Sunday. (ANI)
Updated on Oct 10, 2022 07:12 AM IST
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