The capital on Sunday recorded its worst score on the Air Quality Index for the season with an average reading of 366 based on the average of 32 monitoring stations. As a haze engulfed the city all day, data by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed several areas in the NCR including Gurgaon and Ghaziabad recoded air quality that was in the “severe” category although Delhi’s average managed to stay in the “very poor” category.
An AQI between 0 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“.
The PM2.5 was recorded at 236, the highest of this season. The PM2.5 and the PM10 level stood at 394, according to the CPCB.
The dip in air quality, environmentalists say was due to localised factors like construction dust, vehicular pollution as well as regional factors like pollution due to stubble burning from Punjab and Haryana.
The CPCB issued health advisories for the public and recommended stringent measures from November 1 to 10 forecasting further deterioration in the air quality ahead of Diwali. Some of these recommendations include shutdown of coal and biomass factories, intensification of inspection by transport department to check polluting vehicles and controlling traffic congestion in the NCR.
System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) urged people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion, keep windows closed and wear masks while stepping out.
