Air Pollution: Days After Choking, Delhi Breathes Easy; SAFAR Says Relief Temporary

Days after choking on the toxic air, people in the Delhi and its nearby areas have finally witnessed a change in the air quality.

Days after choking on the toxic air, people in the Delhi and its nearby areas have finally witnessed a change in the air quality, with AQI which has improved to the 'poor' category on Tuesday morning. (ANI)

New Delhi: Days after choking on the toxic air, people in the Delhi and its nearby areas have finally witnessed a change in the air quality, with AQI which has improved to the 'poor' category on Tuesday morning. However, this has been termed as temporary relief by System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), as the wind speed is going to slow down from November 20. Due to this, the air quality is likely to plunge to the 'severe' category on Thursday (November 21). The organisation in its advisory stated, "Pollutant accumulation leading to quick deterioration is predicted by November 20th and the probability of AQI touching the lower end of SEVERE category on 21st November is high." Today, the overall air quality of Delhi was recorded at 218, with PM 10 at 155 and PM 2.5 at 67. People of the city expressed happiness over the improved air quality. "The pollution levels have definitely come down. The air is much cleaner today," said a resident of the city. An AQI between 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor' and 401-500 is marked as 'severe'. An AQI above 500 falls in the 'severe plus' category. Meanwhile, it was a sunny Tuesday morning in Delhi with the minimum temperature settling at 12 degrees Celsius, which is normal for this time of the season. The MeT department has forecast mainly clear sky in the day. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 27 degrees Celsius.

Delhi: Air Quality Index (AQI) at 212 in 'Poor' category near Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data pic.twitter.com/e7RfH1gfq2

— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2019

The Center-run SAFAR has advised people to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. "Take more breaks and do less intense activities. Asthmatics, keep medicine ready if symptoms of coughing or shortness of breath occur. Heart patients, see a doctor if you get palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue," it said in an advisory. Meanwhile, on the second day of the Parliament's winter session, a discussion on air pollution and climate change is expected to take place in the Lok Sabha this afternoon. Congress MP Manish Tewari and BJD lawmaker Pinaki Misra are expected to initiate the discussion in the Lower House of the Parliament at around 2 pm. (with inputs from agencies)