According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality in India’s capital, Delhi, has plummeted to hazardous levels, with the average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 448 at 7 A.M. on Thursday.
The situation in NCR cities also remains grave, Haryana's Faridabad at 289, Gurugram at 370 and Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad at 386, Greater Noida at 351, and Noida at 366. In Delhi most areas are suffering from serious air pollution as the AQI levels were between 400 and 500, falling in the category of 'severe plus'.
Alarming figures have been reported from Anand Vihar (478), Ashok Vihar (472), Bawana (454), Burari Crossing (473), Mathura Road (467), Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range (451), Dwarka Sector 8 (460), ITO (475), Jahangirpuri (478), and Punjabi Bagh (476). Other places are Nehru Nagar (485), Rohini (470), Vikas Marg (466), and Vivek Vihar (475). These figures indicate hazardous air quality, posing serious health risks for residents, especially vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and people with respiratory ailments.
The extreme air pollution conditions synchronized with cold weather; humidity levels in Delhi-NCR were fluctuating. Initially this morning, the minimum temperatures recorded in some areas was over 5 degrees Celsius above normal. Calm winds combined with high humidity led to shallow fog in several parts of the capital region, which further polluted.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a warning that the smoggy conditions may prevail for the next few days with the possibility of intensification of the cold wave. The situation calls for immediate pollution control measures as residents of Delhi-NCR are battling hazardous air quality and health risks.
The CPCB classifies an AQI over 400 as "severe, with serious health issues for everyone. Authorities have urged strict implementation of anti-pollution measures and advised residents, particularly vulnerable groups, to limit their outdoor activities. Delhi-NCR is still battling smog amid intensifying winter and increasing levels of pollution.
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