Severe air pollution and water scarcity in Delhi, know why?

Several areas in the national capital face water scarcity due to dangerously high levels of ammonia (NH3) in the Yamuna river at Wazirabad pond, an official statement from the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) said.

Parts of Delhi-NCR received light rain on Monday morning, but the air quality in the national capital remained in the ‘severe’ category, with an average air quality index (AQI) of 402, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). . As of 8 am, AQI was classified as ‘Severe’ in major areas of Delhi.

Delhi continues to implement Phase IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes stricter measures to combat air pollution, such as banning construction activities and banning the entry of non-essential polluting trucks. The GRAPE system classifies air quality into four stages: Stage I (Poor: AQI 201–300), Stage II (Very Poor: AQI 301–400), Stage III (Severe: AQI 401–450), and Stage IV (Severe plus. : AQI above 450).

On Monday, the maximum temperature is expected to reach 20 degrees Celsius and the minimum temperature is expected to reach 8 degrees Celsius. The relative humidity was between 68 percent and 97 percent. The national capital is expected to experience different weather patterns with winter chill.

On 24 and 25 December 2024, thick fog is predicted, maximum temperature will drop to 22°C and minimum temperature will drop to 6°C. The IMD has issued a fog warning for this period.

There is water shortage in some parts of Delhi

Several areas of the national capital face water scarcity due to dangerously high levels of ammonia (NH3) in the Yamuna river at Wazirabad pond, an official statement from the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) said.

According to the statement, ammonia concentrations above 5.0 ppm reduced water production by 25-50 percent at the Wazirabad Water Treatment Plant.

“Until the situation improves, many parts of the city will have water supply at low pressure,” he said. The affected areas include Majnu Ka Tila, ISBT, GPO, NDMC Area, ITO, Hans Bhavan, LNJP Hospital, Defense Colony, CGO Complex, Rajghat, WHO, IP Emergency, Ramlila Maidan, Delhi Gate, Subhash Park, Gulabi Bagh, Timarpur, SFS Flats. , Punjabi Bagh, Azadpur, Shalimar Bagh, Wazirpur, Lawrence Road, Model Town, Jahangirpuri, Moolchand, South Extension, Greater Kailash, Burari, parts of Cantonment area and South Delhi.

DJB has asked residents to use water judiciously and assured that water tankers will be available as per demand. Ammonia pollution is an ongoing problem in the Yamuna, often affecting Delhi’s water supply.

(With information from PTI)

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