AQI above 400 in 90% of Delhi-NCR, Noida and Ghaziabad record severe pollution

Noida (The Uttam Hindu): Pollution in Delhi-NCR has once again crossed dangerous levels. According to the latest data of Air Quality Index (AQI), about 90 percent of the monitoring stations in Delhi have recorded AQI above 400, which falls in the 'severe' category. In many areas like Rohini, Bawana, RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, Ashok Vihar and Wazirpur, the pollution level remains between 430 to 450, which is considered extremely harmful for the lungs. Reports from Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), IMD and CPCB stations show that the amount of PM 2.5 and PM 10 in the air is several times higher than normal.

According to health experts, even a few hours of exposure to such polluted air can cause eye irritation, sore throat, shortness of breath, and pose a serious threat to asthma patients. Not only Delhi, but Noida and Ghaziabad are also reeling under intense pollution.

In Noida's Sector 62, Sector 125, Sector 1, and Sector 116, the AQI was recorded between 350 and 390. In Ghaziabad's Indirapuram, Loni, Sanjay Nagar, and Vasundhara, pollution levels exceeded 410 in several areas. Humidity, low wind speed, and a drop in temperature are trapping pollutants near the ground, further worsening the situation.

The Meteorological Department has clarified that there is no hope of relief from pollution in the next few days. The minimum temperature is expected to hover around 10 degrees Celsius, which will further thicken the smog. Without improvement in wind speed, pollutants will remain suspended in the air.

Health experts and doctors have advised making mask use mandatory when going out, avoiding morning and evening walks, avoiding unnecessary outings for children and the elderly, and increasing the use of air purifiers at home. Several restrictions are in place under GRAP, but pollution levels haven't shown any significant improvement yet. Residents of Delhi-NCR may continue to face the same stifling air in the coming days.

With air quality continuing to remain in the 'severe' category, Delhi-NCR is once again heading towards a gas chamber situation—and there seems to be no hope of relief at the moment.