The air quality in India’s national capital remains a pressing concern, with Sunday’s readings indicating worsening conditions in many areas, despite slight improvements elsewhere. The overall air quality falls under the “poor” category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Anand Vihar reaching alarming levels of 445, categorizing it as “severe”
Delhi’s air quality has indeed deteriorated significantly after October 14, with many areas crossing the 300 mark on the Air Quality Index (AQI). The current AQI in Delhi ranges from 172 to 445, indicating poor to severe air quality.
A thick haze of smog has blanketed Delhi, triggering widespread health concerns among residents. The city’s air quality has plummeted, causing respiratory distress, eye irritation and other ailments. Residents are experiencing health issues, including difficulty breathing, burning sensations in the eyes, cough-like symptoms, headaches, and throat problems. Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing conditions, are more susceptible to adverse effects.
Delhi’s air quality has taken a turn for the worse, with many areas reporting an Air Quality Index (AQI) above 300 since Friday. This is particularly alarming considering that stubble burning and Diwali celebrations, which significantly contribute to pollution, have not yet begun.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported alarming levels of PM2.5 pollutants in Delhi’s air on Friday. At 3 pm, the concentration of PM2.5 reached 117.1 micrograms per cubic meter, exceeding the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended 24-hour safe limit of 15 micrograms per cubic meter by eight times.
Delhi’s air quality has reached hazardous levels, with several areas reporting Air Quality Index (AQI) values above 500. Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI of 445 on Sunday morning, while other areas such as Shadipur (307), Patparganj (290), and Ashok Vihar (281) also reported poor air quality
Delhi’s worsening pollution levels have sparked a heated political blame game between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). AAP leaders, including Chief Minister Atishi and Environment Minister Gopal Rai, attribute the deteriorating air quality to changing weather conditions and stubble burning in neighboring states.
On the other hand, BJP leaders, such as Manoj Tiwari and Shehzad Poonawalla, accuse the AAP government of failing to curb pollution over the past decade.
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