Delhi's air quality plunged to the "severe" category on Wednesday evening (November 13), according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).
A layer of smog engulfed several parts of the national capital on Wednesday as the air quality deteriorated in the city. Residents complained of low visibility on the roads and have also been experiencing irritation in their eyes, runny nose, breathlessness and cough, news agency ANI reported.
As per SAFAR, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 429 around 5:30 pm on Wednesday. The AQI was "severe" in several areas including near Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium, ITO, Jahangirpuri, Dilshad Garden, IGI airport, Burari Crossing and Dwarka Sector 8.
At 9 am on Wednesday, the air quality was 'very poor' with a reading of 366. On Tuesday, the national capital's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) – recorded at 4 pm every day – stood at 334.
"The Indian capital New Delhi is experiencing its first peak in air pollution of the ‘season’. The air quality index has exceeded 3 times the level considered dangerous for humans," new agency AFP reported.
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'.
Of the 36 monitoring stations in Delhi, 30 reported air quality in the 'severe' category, according to the CPCB.
Amid deteriorating air quality in Delhi, environmentalist Vimlendhu Jha on Wednesday said that it is a "very, very" alarming situation and that the citizens need to be extremely cautious. Due to a dip in temperature, the quality of air might reach a severe category for several weeks.
Speaking to ANI, Jha said that November 13 is the 15th day when the Delhi NCR's Air Quality Index hovers around 390, which is in the very poor category. He said that vehicle pollution contributes almost 50 per cent of overall ambient air quality or air pollution.
