Vehicles near Anand Vihar area amid hazy weather conditions, in New Delhi, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023. The air quality index deteriorated from 415 at 4 pm on Saturday to 460 at 7 am on Sunday. PTI Photo
Delhi's air quality on Sunday morning once again plunged to 'severe plus' as a thick haze engulfed the national capital, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 15.8 degree Celsius, one notch above the season's normal.
The relative humidity was recorded 96 per cent, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The pollution levels in the city once again reached the 'severe plus' category due to unfavourable wind conditions, particularly calm winds during the night. The air quality index (AQI) deteriorated from 415 at 4 pm on Saturday to 460 at 7 am on Sunday.
Under the Centre's air pollution control plan, all emergency measures, including a ban on polluting trucks, commercial four-wheelers, and all types of construction, are mandated to be initiated and enforced in the National Capital Region if the AQI crosses the 450-mark.
The concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter capable of penetrating deep into the respiratory system and triggering health problems, exceeded the government-prescribed safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre by seven to eight times at multiple locations throughout Delhi-NCR. It was 80 to 100 times the healthy limit of 5 micrograms per cubic meter set by the WHO.
Air quality in Delhi-NCR declined over the past week due to a gradual drop in temperatures, calm winds that trap pollution, and a surge in post-harvest paddy straw burning across Punjab and Haryana.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board shows that Delhi's air quality index increased by over 200 points between October 27 and November 3, culminating in a descent into the 'severe plus' category (above 450) on Friday.
Friday's 24-hour average AQI (468) was the worst since the previous high of 471 recorded on November 12, 2021. The air quality in neighbouring Ghaziabad (410), Gurugram (441), Noida (436), Greater Noida (467), and Faridabad (461) also reported hazardous air quality.
While the capital is grappling with an air crisis, a first-of-its-kind study launched by the city government to help identify different sources of pollution in the city and accordingly take mitigating action was stopped recently on the orders of Delhi Pollution Control Committee Chairman Ashwani Kumar.
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