POLLUTION

Delhi Kicks-off November with 'Severe' Air Quality; Further Spike in Pollution Levels Expected Today

Smog in New Delhi on Friday.(Yogesh Kumar/BCCL Delhi) — Representational Image
(Yogesh Kumar/BCCL Delhi)

The air quality of the national capital on Tuesday entered the 'severe' category as the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city crossed 400, according to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) and will remain the same on Wednesday also.

The Narela area recorded a PM2.5 level of 448 on Tuesday evening. With air quality dipping in the city, there is a rise in carbon monoxide (CO) levels in some areas across the city, posing a threat to children and senior citizens.

The severe category of air quality calls for health warnings of emergency conditions and even serious risk of respiratory effects in the general public.

The 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'.

In Pusa, the AQI was recorded at 426 'severe' category, while PM10 was reported at 341 under 'very poor' category. At Lodhi Road, the Air Quality Index with PM2.5 concentration was 376 under the 'very poor' category, and the PM10 levels stood at 305 under the 'very poor' category. In Ayanagar, the PM2.5 was at 406, or the 'severe' category, while the PM10 reached 404, also in the 'severe' category. The Air Quality Index at the city's Mathura Road was under the "severe" category, with PM2.5 at 416 and PM10 concentration at 421 also under the 'severe' category.

According to the forecast from SAFAR, the city's air quality will deteriorate further under the 'severe' category, with PM2.5 at 412 and PM10 concentration at 426 also under the 'severe' category on Wednesday.

However, the Air Quality Index of Delhi's neighbouring cities of Noida stood at 467 under the 'severe' category and the PM 10 concentration at 342 under the 'very poor' category. In comparison, Gurugram's AQI was reported at 393 under the 'very poor' category and the PM 10 concentration at 287 under the 'poor' category.

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The above article has been published from a wire source with minimal modifications to the headline and text.

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