Sun Oct 20 06:33:04 UTC 2024: **Summary of News Article:**
– **Blast Incident:** A blast occurred outside the CRPF School in Prashant Vihar, Rohini, Delhi, early Sunday morning. Eyewitness reports suggest possible causes include a cylinder explosion or building collapse, as smoke was visible for about 10 minutes and nearby shop windows were broken.
– **Police Response:**
– NSG commandos have arrived at the scene, and heavy police presence has been established with barricades set up.
– Bomb disposal teams are conducting checks and have urged the public to report any suspicious items.
– Search operations are ongoing, and the area has been secured by police.
– **Fire Department Involvement:** The fire department was alerted around 7:50 AM, dispatching two fire brigades, though no fire or structural damage was found.
– **Air Quality Concerns in Delhi:**
– Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and Environment Minister Gopal Rai inspected the Anand Vihar area, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at a severe level of 454.
– Gopal Rai attributed high pollution levels in Anand Vihar to heavy diesel bus traffic from Uttar Pradesh and called for collaborative efforts for pollution control, including water sprinkling at bus depots.
– **Government Actions on Pollution:**
– Strict anti-pollution measures are being implemented, including the deployment of 99 teams for dust control and over 325 smog guns across the city.
– The overall AQI in Delhi remained in the “poor” category, recorded at 265, with predictions indicating worsening air quality in the coming days due to meteorological conditions and emissions from stubble and waste burning.
– **Yamuna River Pollution:** Toxic foam has been observed in the Yamuna River, indicating rising pollution levels.
These events highlight ongoing safety concerns following the blast and urgent environmental issues related to air quality in Delhi.