The blanket of smog that has engulfed Delhi NCR after the Diwali celebrations have been an area of concern for environmentally conscious citizens of the city. Diwali was celebrated on a regular tone as every year, but this time the smog didn’t clear for days.
However, NASA has suggested that the smog might not be the result of the festivities. They have in fact blamed the burning of crops by farmers in neighbouring states like Punjab, Haryana as the reason behind the smog.
Punjab’s crop burning over the last two weeks, mapped in one gif. #airpollution pic.twitter.com/eXSye3ynoO
— Anand Katakam (@anandkatakam) November 3, 2016
The air quality of the city was 943 units, close to 18 times over the limit of healthy air. Particles of the air are directly responsible for most respiratory diseases, which could plague citizens soon enough. A staggering amount of 32 million tonnes of leftover grains were burned in Punjab, according to NASA, says the report.
@prasanto Air quality levels as recorded over the past 1 hour. #breathe https://t.co/GaZQinPJ79 pic.twitter.com/3DAdI0NT4W
— #Breathe (@IndiaSpendAir) November 3, 2016