Delhi's Air Quality Hits Alarming Levels: What You Need to Know

Severe Pollution Grips the Capital

New Delhi: Residents of Delhi are grappling with dangerously high levels of air pollution, as the Air Quality Index (AQI) soared past 400 in various areas on Saturday, positioning the capital among the most polluted cities in India.

As of 4 PM on Saturday, the 24-hour average AQI was recorded at 361, categorizing Delhi in the 'red zone' and marking it as the second most polluted city nationwide, based on data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Certain locations in the city reported 'severe' pollution levels, with monitoring stations indicating an AQI of 404 in Alipur, 402 at ITO, 406 in Nehru Nagar, 411 at Vivek Vihar, 420 in Wazirpur, and 418 in Burari, according to the CPCB's Sameer app data from 38 monitoring stations.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), Noida recorded an AQI of 354, Greater Noida at 336, and Ghaziabad at 339, all classified as 'very poor' according to CPCB statistics.

On the previous day, Delhi had an AQI of 322, making it the most polluted city in the country.

The primary pollutants on Saturday were PM2.5 and PM10.

The Decision Support System (DSS) for air quality forecasting indicated that stubble burning was responsible for approximately 30% of Delhi's pollution, while the transportation sector contributed 15.2% on Sunday.

Satellite imagery revealed 100 incidents of stubble burning in Punjab, 18 in Haryana, and 164 in Uttar Pradesh on Friday.

The Air Quality Early Warning System has forecasted that Delhi's air quality will remain in the 'very poor' category for the upcoming days. Since Diwali, the air quality in the capital has consistently been classified as 'poor' or 'very poor', occasionally reaching 'severe' levels.

According to CPCB classifications, an AQI of 0 to 50 is deemed 'good', 51 to 100 is 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 is 'moderate', 201 to 300 is 'poor', 301 to 400 is 'very poor', and 401 to 500 is 'severe'.