The image comes as pollution levels in Delhi remain alarmingly high.
New Delhi:
A river of smoke flowing towards Delhi from farm fires in Punjab and Haryana is seen by a NASA satellite. In the image taken on November 11, the national capital and its adjoining areas were seen covered with large plumes of smoke.
The ‘red dot’ is also visible in the photo, indicating large-scale fires in parts of Punjab, Haryana and Pakistan.
A NASA scientist reacted to the increasing fire activity, saying that at least 22 million people were affected by smoke from crop fires on this one day.
Smoke from crop fires in northern India covered Delhi and contributed to rising levels of air pollution. https://t.co/Pe30imj6xVpic.twitter.com/RyNEmVcbXx
— NASA Earth (@NASAEarth) November 18, 2021
“Given the size of the plume on November 11 and the population density in the region, I would say that a conservative estimate is that at least 22 million people were affected by the smoke in this one day,” said Pawan Gupta, a University Space Research Association (USRA) scientists at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center.
It comes as pollution levels in the city remain alarmingly high, prompting the government to shut down five power stations and close schools to try to stem the crisis.
November generally brings bad pollution, with increased concentrations of small airborne particulates, partly because farmers desecrate their fields in northern India before the new sowing season. The annual post-harvest practice covers Delhi with toxic haze and is barely visible at a distance of a few hundred metres.
However, smoke from crop fires is not the only contributor to foggy skies. Motor vehicle smoke, industrial and construction activity and road dust also generate pollutants.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday objected to blaming farmers for stubble burning amid the air pollution crisis in the national capital, saying “people sitting in five-star facilities in Delhi keep blaming farmers” regardless of their plight. . It pointed to “hi-fi cars” and “gas guzzlers” on Delhi’s roads, saying all the affidavits referred to transport as a pollution source.
,