Delhi Air Quality Worsens Again; AQI Plummets To ‘Severe’ Levels

After a brief respite, Delhi’s air quality deteriorated sharply on Saturday, slipping back into the ‘severe’ category as the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed the 400 mark.

According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s average AQI stood at an alarming 422 by 7 AM, signaling a return to hazardous conditions for the city’s residents.

NCR Cities Also Grapple With Poor Air Quality

The toxic air extended beyond Delhi, impacting neighboring cities in the National Capital Region (NCR).

Gurugram recorded an AQI of 324, Faridabad 290, Noida 345, Ghaziabad 357, and Greater Noida 295 – all hovering in the ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ categories.

In Delhi, several areas saw AQI levels between 300 and 400, including Mathura Road (384), IGI Airport (397), and ITO (388). However, 27 localities breached the 400 threshold, with some nearing or exceeding the maximum AQI level of 500.

Jahangirpuri recorded one of the highest AQI levels at 463, followed closely by Wazirpur (467), Anand Vihar (458), Ashok Vihar (457), and Punjabi Bagh (454).

Other severely affected areas included Chandni Chowk (440), Mundka (443), and Rohini (450).

Understanding AQI Levels

The CPCB classifies air quality as follows:

• 0-50: Good
• 51-100: Satisfactory
• 101-200: Moderate
• 201-300: Poor
• 301-400: Very Poor
• 401-500: Severe
• Anything above 500 is categorized as ‘severe-plus’ or an emergency level, posing serious health risks to all residents.

Supreme Court Intervenes Amidst Crisis

On Friday, the Supreme Court maintained that the fourth stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4) will remain in force for the next 72 hours to combat rising pollution levels.

GRAP-4 includes measures like banning non-essential construction, halting industrial operations, and restricting vehicular movement in Delhi-NCR.

The apex court indicated that it would review the situation next week, particularly addressing the impact of these measures on schools and students.

Experts warn that prolonged exposure to such high pollution levels can lead to severe respiratory and cardiovascular problems. Residents are advised to avoid outdoor activities, wear masks, and use air purifiers indoors.

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