Toxic air in Delhi: pollution reaches emergency mark, AQI 430 in Anand Vihar
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Air pollution levels in the national capital Delhi reached dangerous levels on Sunday morning. According to the latest data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Anand Vihar was recorded at 430, which falls in the 'severe' category. Meanwhile, the air quality in several areas, including Ashram and Maharani Bagh, was found to be 'very poor'. A thick layer of smog has enveloped the entire city, causing eye irritation and breathing problems.
Delhi turns into a gas chamber, pollution levels reach emergency levels in many areas; AQI 430 in Anand Vihar : According to CPCB, AQI was recorded at 430 in Anand Vihar, 406 in Wazirpur, 369 in Ashok Vihar and 329 in ITO. Pollution levels are continuously rising in many parts of Delhi. Air quality was recorded in the 'very poor' category (above 300) at 16 monitoring stations in the capital, while it remained in the 'poor' category at the remaining places.
Health experts have warned that this level of pollution is extremely harmful for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions. They have advised people to wear masks when outside, avoid morning walks, and avoid unnecessary travel.
Images from the Ashram area show poor visibility due to dense fog. Vehicles have slowed down on the roads and traffic jams are forming. Many people have complained of burning eyes and sore throats.
According to CPCB standards, AQI levels range from 0 to 50 as 'good', 51 to 100 as 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 as 'moderate', 201 to 300 as 'poor', 301 to 400 as 'very poor' and 401 to 500 as 'severe'.
Meanwhile, temperatures in Delhi have also dropped. Saturday's minimum temperature was 16.9 degrees Celsius, the lowest this month, two degrees below normal. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature on Sunday is expected to be around 31 degrees Celsius and the minimum around 17 degrees Celsius. The department has predicted light fog in the morning.