Experts divided over cause of Delhi smog

Weather and environment experts are divided over the root cause of the recent smog cover over the national capital, where air quality has also shown marked deterioration in the last few days since Diwali celebrations.



Currently, the air quality in Delhi has shown a marked deterioration, with various data suggesting that people are inhaling a noxious mix of gases in the city.



At Gol Market and surrounding areas, the level of nitrogen oxides in the air has shot up to 165 micrograms per cubic metre, as against a standard of 60-80 micrograms per cubic metre.



Murky: The recent smog cover over the Capital has experts looking for answers

In Punjabi Bagh, the level has reached 245 micrograms per cubic metre, especially in the evening. The same rose to an alarming 919 micrograms during the weekend in R. K. Puram.



Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) chief Sandeep Mishra said crackers alone are not responsible for the smog cover.



"The toxic weather is alone not a result of the Diwali pollution. That got cleared by Monday last week. We have to dig deeper to figure out what the root cause is for this sudden drastic change (in weather and air quality) and take preventive measures accordingly," he said.



Although Delhi has a tendency to get cold post-Diwali, the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) claimed, a severe smog spell does not happen at this time of the year and it was definitely due to Diwali pollution.



"We need to have a winter action plan ready. If the government does take serious measures, we will face many more severe smog spells in the days to come," Executive Director at CSE, Anumita Roychowdhury said.

