Satellite Images show considerable drop in Delhi’s pollution levels

Hyderabad: Satellite images taken by Sentinel hub India show that Nitrogen Oxide levels have decreased in Delhi and other nearby states given the lockdown.

Satellite image shared by Scientist Ashim K. Mitra, Delhi show surrounding areas in blue which means nitrogen oxide levels are very less in the atmosphere.

Nitrogen oxide usually enters the atmosphere due to the burning of fossil fuel and biomass. Since industries are shut, the nitrogen oxide levels have dropped.

Not only Delhi, Hyderabad has also seen a considerable drop in pollution, said the Telangana Pollution Control Board (PCB) Officials.

“The air quality index has considerably improved. During evenings (6pm -8pm) the air quality used to be 100-120pm. For the last few days, it has dropped to 60 pm. This means there is almost 50% drop in the pollution levels,” said PCB officer D Prasad.

Another officer R Venkanna stated that pollution levels have decreased because fewer vehicles are plying in the city due to the lockdown and almost all industries are shut.

Considerable decrease in Pollution levels in other metropolitan cities

System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) said the air quality index in other metropolitan cities has also improved.

“The SAFAR model suggests AQI likely to marginally deteriorate but in the satisfactory category on 31st March. Satisfactory to moderate AQI is expected on 1st April. This forecast now considers estimated reduction in local emissions due to lockdown,” SAFAR said.

According to its forecast, the air quality index in Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmadabad, and Pune are at a satisfactory level with an average AQI of 70.