Delhi Air Quality: Pollution may increase to 'dangerous levels', warn authorities

Delhi’s deteriorated air quality improved on Friday after rainfall lashed parts of the national capital on Thursday evening. However, authorities warned that pollution could increase to “dangerous levels” in the next couple of days.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi on Friday was recorded at 276, which falls in the poor category, according to the data from the Central Pollution Control Board.

However, data from the Centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research showed an AQI of 304, which falls in the very poor category.

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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”.

According to reports, the air quality in Noida improved from very poor to poor, while the air quality in Ghaziabad and Gurgaon continued to remain very poor category.

The PM10 level (presence of particles in the air with a diameter of less than 10 micrometres) in Delhi stood at 270 and the PM 2.5 level was recorded at 125, according to the data from SAFAR.

On Friday, the Supreme Court appointed Environment Protection Control Authority (EPCA) held a high-level meeting with the Punjab, Haryana and the Delhi government officials to discuss the pollution situation in the national capital after the city’s air quality deteriorated to the ‘very poor’ category on Wednesday, the first in this season.

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“The meeting took stock of the situation and it was decided that special attention would be given to vulnerable hotspots in the city where poor or very poor air quality is observed,” said an EPCA official.

A Central Pollution Control Board official said a number of factors were responsible for the deteriorating air quality, including vehicular pollution, construction activities and meteorological factors.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal Friday warned that Delhi will become a “gas chamber soon” as the Centre, Punjab and Haryana governmaents did “absolutely nothing” for farmers involved in stubble burning.

“V sad that Central, Punjab and Haryana Govts did absolutely nothing for the farmers. As a result, the farmers will suffer on one hand and Delhi will become a gas chamber soon (sic),” Kejriwal tweeted.

V sad that Central, Punjab and Haryana Govts did absolutely nothing for the farmers. As a result, the farmers will suffer on one hand and Delhi will become a gas chamber soon. https://t.co/X3ZTU2xbC6

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 19, 2018

(With inputs from agencies)