Delhi Pollution: NDMC sprinkles water on roads as air quality falls to severe

The national capital woke up to a yet another smoggy morning on Friday with the air quality in the 'severe' category. The AQI in Anand Vihar was 585, 343 in RK Puram and 467 in the area around the US Embassy. It is likely to remain in the ‘severe’ category on Friday and Saturday as the smoke emitted by firecrackers has slowed down the process of pollutant dispersion, a report by government-run agency SAFAR said Thursday.

North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) also sprinkled water on trees in the area around Delhi University's North Campus to settle the dust, as a pollution control measure.

Delhi: North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) sprinkles water on trees in the area around Delhi University's North Campus to settle the dust, as a pollution control measure. PM 10 and PM 2.5 in the area in 'Severe' category. pic.twitter.com/SalMfLGYpA

— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2018

#Delhi's Anand Vihar at 585, area around US Embassy at 467 and RK Puram at 343 - all under 'Hazardous' category in Air Quality Index (AQI). pic.twitter.com/8dTUdFZzmV

— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2018

Delhi: Latest visuals from RK Puram area. pic.twitter.com/IyTXcr7xPD

— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2018

Delhi: Latest visuals from Lodhi Garden. pic.twitter.com/YDbEB7726r

— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2018

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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 entry of heavy goods vehicles into the national capital has been banned for three days beginning 11pm on Thursday night as Delhi’s air quality worsened to the “severe-plus emergency” category following rampant bursting of crackers on Diwali.

Earlier, the Delhi Police registered over 550 cases and more than 300 people were arrested on Diwali night for violating the Supreme Court's order on burning of fire crackers. Police also seized 2,776 kgs of firecrackers from various parts of the city on Diwali. A total of 87 people were arrested and 72 cases registered in connection with illegal sale of crackers.

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The Supreme Court had allowed bursting of firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm only on Diwali and other festivals. It had also allowed manufacture and sale of only "green crackers", which have a low light and sound emission and less harmful chemicals.

Earlier, SAFAR issued a health advisory due to increased pollution level in Delhi, urging people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children to avoid prolonged or heavy exertion.