Capital Suffers Under ‘Severe’ Air Pollution; Relief Unlikely For Six Days

New Delhi woke up to another alarming day on Saturday, as air pollution levels across the capital reached ‘severe’ levels.

The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) forecasted that the city’s air quality will remain ‘very poor’ for the next six days, with no immediate relief in sight.

Earlier on Friday, Delhi’s Chief Minister, Atishi, took swift action to curb the effects of the worsening pollution by announcing new measures aimed at reducing traffic congestion and adjusting work schedules.

These include revised working hours for government offices, designed to minimize the number of vehicles on the road during peak hours.

The Air Quality Index (AQI) across various districts painted a grim picture.

Areas like Shadipur, Narela, and Jahangirpuri reported AQI levels hovering around 450, far exceeding safe limits.

The particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in these areas were also alarmingly high, with readings above 400 micrograms per cubic meter in many parts of the city.

Citywide AQI & PM 2.5 Levels

The following are the Air Quality Index (AQI) readings and particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels across various locations in the city:

• Shadipur: AQI 454, PM 2.5
• Narela: AQI 449, PM 2.5
• Jahangirpuri: AQI 445, PM 2.5
• Wazirpur: AQI 441, PM 2.5
• Bawana: AQI 438, PM 2.5
• Vivek Vihar: AQI 436, PM 2.5
• North Campus, DU: AQI 436, PM 2.5
• Anand Vihar: AQI 436, PM 2.5
• Punjabi Bagh: AQI 425, PM 2.5
• Patparganj: AQI 427, PM 2.5
• Rohini: AQI 426, PM 2.5
• Nehru Nagar: AQI 424, PM 2.5
• Mundka: AQI 423, PM 2.5
• Sonia Vihar: AQI 420, PM 2.5
• Dwarka Sector 8: AQI 415, PM 2.5
• Lodhi Road (IITM): AQI 414, PM 2.5
• Major Dhyanchand National Stadium: AQI 413, PM 2.5
• Mandir Marg: AQI 411, PM 2.5
• IHBAS, Dilshad Garden: AQI 408, PM 2.5
• RK Puram: AQI 401, PM 2.5
• Pusa: AQI 399, PM 2.5
• Aya Nagar: AQI 398, PM 2.5
• IGI Airport (T3): AQI 395, PM 2.5
• Sirifort: AQI 390, PM 2.5
• Okhla Phase-2: AQI 387, PM 2.5
• DTU: AQI 383, PM 2.5
• Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range: AQI 380, PM 2.5
• NSIT Dwarka: AQI 367, PM 2.5
• Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium: AQI 370, PM 2.5
• Chandni Chowk: AQI 372, PM 2.5
• ITO: AQI 357, PM 2.5
• Najafgarh: AQI 357, PM 2.5
• Lodhi Road (IMD): AQI 351, PM 2.5
• Shri Aurobindo Marg: AQI 264, PM 2.5
• CRRI Mathura Road: Data not available, PM 2.5

In response to the ongoing crisis, Delhi’s Chief Minister had announced on Thursday that primary schools in the city would switch to online classes.

Taking to X, CM Atishi posted, “Due to rising pollution levels, all primary schools in Delhi will be shifting to online classes, until further directions.”

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