Delhi’s air quality continued to deteriorate, remaining in the ‘severe plus’ category on Friday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) readings exceeding 450 in several areas. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI had reached an alarming 451 by 4 pm on Thursday, indicating hazardous air conditions across the city.
As of 8 am on Friday, the overall AQI in Delhi stood at 434, categorized as ‘severe’ by the CPCB. Several areas, including Rohini, RK Puram, Sirifort, Dwarka Sector 8, and Wazirpur, recorded AQI levels surpassing 450, reaching the ‘severe plus’ threshold. The AQI scale, as per CPCB guidelines, classifies readings above 450 as ‘severe plus,’ a level that poses serious health risks to residents.
The city’s air quality had already worsened on Thursday, with dangerously high levels of PM2.5, the primary pollutant, detected across most monitoring stations. PM2.5 particles, which are smaller than 2.5 micrometers, can penetrate deep into the lungs, causing severe respiratory and cardiovascular issues. Of the 35 monitoring stations tracked by the government’s Sameer app, 32 recorded ‘severe plus’ levels of air pollution, with some areas reaching AQI values as high as 470.
Delhi has remained under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the highest level of emergency measures to combat pollution. These measures include a ban on construction activities, restrictions on the entry of non-essential polluting trucks into the city, and stringent controls on industrial emissions. GRAP categorizes air quality into four stages, with Stage IV covering AQI values above 450, signaling an urgent need for intensified efforts to protect public health.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued a yellow alert for Friday, forecasting dense fog in some areas, which could further worsen the already hazardous air quality. The IMD recorded a maximum temperature of 23°C on Thursday, slightly above the season’s normal, while the minimum temperature dropped to 5°C, three degrees below normal.
As Delhi battles its ongoing air pollution crisis, residents are urged to take precautions, including limiting outdoor activities, wearing masks, and avoiding strenuous exercise. With health concerns mounting, the city’s air quality remains a critical issue, demanding immediate and sustained action from both the authorities and the public.
Sources By Agencies
