Pollution Still Has Delhi In Chokehold As Temperature Drops To Season's Lowest

Delhi's air quality remains severe, with an AQI of 404, leading to smog and health concerns.

The minimum temperature dropped to lowest of the season so far in Delhi on Friday.

Source : PTI

The air quality in Delhi remained in the 'severe' category on Saturday, with an AQI above 400 at several stations. The city recorded an overall AQI of 404 as of 6 a.m. on Saturday, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. 

The stations that recorded above 400 AQI were: Alipur (435), Anand Vihar (436), Bawana (438), Burari Crossing (424), CRRI Mathura Road (424), Dwarka Sector 8 (415), IBHAS Dilshad Garden (408), Jahangirpuri (445), Major Dhyan Chand NAtional Stadium (413), Mandir Marg (411), Mundka (423), Narela (449), Nehru Nagar (424), North Campus DU (436), Patparganj (427), Punjab Bagh (425), Pusa IMD (400), RK Puram (401), Rohini (426), Shadipur (454), Sonia Vihar (420), Vivek Vihar (436), and Wazirpur (441). 

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered "good", 51 and 100 "satisfactory", 101 and 200 "moderate", 201 and 300 "poor", 301 and 400 "very poor", 401 and 450 "severe" and above 450 "severe-plus". 

#WATCH | Delhi continues to be covered in a blanket of smog in the mornings as the Air Quality Index (AQI) continues to be in 'Severe' category in several areas as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

(Visuals from Kalindi Kunj) pic.twitter.com/hnqcLkrpXY

— ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2024

The high level of pollution level to a layer of smog engulfing the city while residents complained of breathing and eye-related problems. 

 "...Chest and eyes are hurting due to pollution... Diesel vehicles and stubble burning are the reason. The government has also doubled the penalty but people are not listening," said a resident.  

On Friday, Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 15.6 degrees Celsius, the lowest of the season so far, said the India Meteorological Department. The city was shrouded in fog accompanied by cold winds. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to settle around 30 and 15 degrees Celsius.   

In a bid to curb the rising pollution, the Delhi government imposed restrictions under stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan. Under these restrictions, private BS III petrol and BS IV diesel vehicles have been banned in the national capital along with the entry of interstate non-electric-CNG buses, certain categories of construction activities.