On Monday, the air quality of Delhi slipped to 'hazardous' levels with the Air Quality Index increasing to 481 at 7 a.m. It has been categorized as 'severe-plus'.
Such a grave level poses alarming health implications particularly for vulnerable groups.
As many as 39 monitoring stations in Delhi recorded AQI readings of over 450 on Tuesday, according to Central Pollution Control Board data, with other areas in the region showing mixed readings. Air quality in Noida stood at 'very poor' at 384, while Faridabad stood at 'poor' at 320. AQI in Ghaziabad and Gurugram was at 'severe' levels with reading at 400 and 446 respectively.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an Orange Alert due to dense fog. The fog has further deteriorated conditions by greatly reducing visibility. With both fog and toxic air, operations of the flights have been affected, resulting in delays at all levels.
Despite heavy initiatives on curbing pollution, the city of Delhi is seen in a blanket of smog as the locals describe it as a "gas chamber". The scenario is worse, with citizens trying to breathe in the toxic air. The cold wave has also arrived, making the health crisis worse.
In West Delhi, morning walkers sounded concerned, saying: "This is not fog, it is pollution. Breathing has become difficult, especially for those above 50 years of age."
Earlier on Sunday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan ('Severe 'Air Quality) in Delhi-NCR from Monday amid worsening air.
The decision came after the Sub-Committee for operationalisation of the GRAP called an emergency meeting in view of the rising pollution owing to unfavourable meteorological conditions in Delhi-NCR.
On Sunday, Delhi’s daily average Air Quality Index clocked 441 at 4 p.m., as per the Daily AQI Bulletin by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and further rose to 457 at 7 p.m.
The CPCB measures say an AQI in the scale of zero to 50 is 'good', 51 to 100 is 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', 401 to 450 'severe' and above 450 'severe-plus'.
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