Pollution in the region worsened immediately after mercury began falling in Delhi-NCR. Delhi-NCR's post-Diwali scenario was pretty grim, with the air pollution spiking sharply and levels in the capital and its adjoining cities breaching the 'very poor' and 'severe' category at various locations.
The AQI is above 400 at several places in Delhi. That means hazardous conditions exist.
AQI in Gurugram, Haryana, had reached the 'severe plus' category as it crosses 499. In Noida, Uttar Pradesh, the 'poor' air quality is at 297, while in Greater Noida it was 'very poor' with AQI at 346.
Eleven out of the 39 monitoring stations recorded an AQI more than 400, thus entering the 'severe' bracket as reported by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Says Meteorological Department, there has not been any respite indicated that the city will come underneath smog blanket at least up to November 10.
AQI in Mundka peaked at 466 during early morning hours on Tuesday while it was 442 and 438 in DIT and Anand Vihar, respectively. New Sarup Nagar reported 395, while more areas fell into the same category-similarly severe levels-for example, Kohat Enclave with 384; Bhalswa Landfill at 368; and at LIC Colony, 364. Rohini reported its Air Quality Index at 391.
Other areas reporting AQI values in the 'very poor' range include Pusa (325), Loni (324), Alipur (320), Ashok Vihar (318), Dwarka (316), Janakpuri (306), Hastsal (307), and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (309).
The CPCB rates AQI values as: 'good' (0-50), 'satisfactory' (51-100), 'moderate' (101-200), 'poor' (201-300), 'very poor' (301-400), 'severe' (401-450), and 'severe plus' for an AQI value above 450.
Further tightening the air quality, Meteorological Department has predicted that the highest temperature would remain at about 32 degrees Celsius and the minimum would vary around 16 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, the same as Monday, which is 1 degree Celsius to 1.2 degrees Celsius more than normal.
CAQM has undertaken a string of actions in response to such challenging conditions. The plan followed is known as Graded Response Action Plan.
Severe punishments for polluting construction sites, vehicles, and industries; a road dust control mechanism installed with about 600 mechanical sweeping machines, water sprinklers, and anti-smog guns across NCR.
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