NEW DELHI: Delhi witnessed a slight improvement in its air quality on Tuesday, shifting from the 'severe' category to 'very poor' following five consecutive days of severely polluted air. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi stood at 395 on Tuesday, showing a slight amelioration from the previous day's reading of 421.
Several cities in neighboring Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh are also grappling with hazardous air quality levels. Ghaziabad recorded an AQI of 342, Gurgaon 364, Noida 355, Greater Noida 457, and Faridabad 374.
Track the pollution level in your cityDespite the minor improvement, the concentration of PM2.5 – fine particulate matter known for its adverse health effects – exceeded the government-prescribed safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic meter by a substantial margin, reaching levels 30 to 40 times higher than the healthy limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO).
The Ministry of Earth Science's Air Quality Early Warning System for the Delhi-NCR region predicts a return to 'severe' air quality on November 8, with 'very poor' conditions expected on November 9 and November 10. The area is likely to experience 'very poor' to 'severe' air quality for the next five to six days.
In response to the worsening air quality, the Delhi government reinstated its odd-even scheme, which restricts car usage based on license plate numbers, effective after Diwali to help mitigate pollution levels. Additionally, in-person classes in schools, except for students in classes 10 and 12 preparing for board exams, have been temporarily suspended until November 10.
Breathing the polluted air in Delhi is comparable to the harmful effects of smoking about 10 cigarettes a day, says Dr. Rajesh Chawla, a senior consultant in pulmonology and critical care at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital. Long-term exposure to such high pollution levels can lead to or exacerbate respiratory issues and significantly raise the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
To address the air quality crisis, stringent measures outlined in the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) have been implemented in Delhi. Stage IV of GRAP includes restrictions on construction activities and the entry of polluting trucks into the city.
Unfavorable weather conditions, combined with vehicular emissions, crop burning, firecrackers, and local pollution sources, contribute to hazardous air quality in Delhi-NCR during the winter months. A report from the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago has revealed that air pollution is reducing life expectancy by nearly 12 years in Delhi.
(With agency inputs)
Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India. Don't miss daily games like Crossword, Sudoku, and Mini Crossword.