Delhi woke up to a layer of smog on Sunday morning, with the air quality record to be in the ‘severe’ category at most locations in the national capital. Parts of the city were covered by a dense layer of smog, reducing visibility and enforcing the strict implementation of GRAP Stage IV measures.
Whereas, AQI readings recorded at 12 noon from various parts of Delhi highlighted the severity of the situation. However, 18 of the 39 air quality monitoring stations in Delhi, recorded the AQI to be in the ‘very poor’ category including Aya Nagar, ITO, and Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Check the full list:
|
Area |
AQI |
|
Aya Nagar |
343 |
|
DTU Delhi |
364 |
|
Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range |
394 |
|
IGI Airport |
384 |
|
ITO |
400 |
|
Dilshad Garden |
264 |
|
JLN Stadium |
384 |
|
Lodhi Road |
341 |
|
Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, |
391 |
|
Mandir Marg |
394 |
|
NSIT Dwarka |
326 |
|
Najafgarh |
356 |
|
Narela |
393 |
|
Pusa |
394 |
|
Pusa IMD |
385 |
|
Sirifort |
391 |
|
Sonia Vihar |
396 |
|
Sri Aurobindo Marg |
351 |
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', and 401 and 500 'severe'.
On Thursday, Delhi's air quality took a turn for the worse again as the 24-hour average AQI plunged into the 'severe plus' category, breaching the 450-mark at 4 PM, according to the CPCB data. The AQI readings in some areas recorded AQI as high as 470. The national capital recorded air quality in the severe plus category with dangerously high levels of PM2.5. The PM2.5 particles, which measure 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter, are extremely dangerous as they can penetrate deep into the lungs when inhaled, posing significant health risks.
The same day the Delhi government issued a complete ban on firecrackers in Delhi throughout the year with immediate effect. The government has banned the manufacturing, storage, selling, and bursting of firecrackers. Getting firecrackers delivered through online marketing platforms has also been banned.
A rider who came from Noida said that he faced trouble riding when he entered Delhi due to the pollution. "I ride on Sundays and once a day I ride my bike. So I used to ride more from Noida and was feeling good there. As soon as I entered Delhi, my eyes started burning and fog started to appear. I have to take the helmet mirror off repeatedly and there is a lot of problem here in Delhi," he told ANI.
Another rider said that he faced trouble breathing when he entered Delhi from Noida. "I ride every Sunday. When I entered Delhi from Noida, I felt that the pollution was increasing here. I am having a lot of trouble breathing and riding a bike because I have to take off my helmet," he told ANI.
GRAP stage IV measures have been in effect in the entire NCR since December 16 after the deterioration in air quality.