Capital AQI levels hover around ‘very poor’ category

A thin layer of smog blanketed Delhi today as the air quality took a severe hit, with readings hovering around the “very poor” category.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data indicated alarming figures, with Anand Vihar’s Air Quality Index (AQI) at 383 at 9 am, showing “very poor” conditions. While, the 24-hour average was clocked at 316, still in the ‘very poor’ category.

Several other areas recorded similar levels. The AQI at RK Puram reached 350, Punjabi Bagh 329 and Wazirpur 313. Vivek Vihar reported 318, all contributing to a concerning picture for public health.

‘Road dust major culprit’

The bursting of firecrackers has a very marginal effect and the suspended particulate matter generated during the bursting of firecrackers, subsides within 24-48 hours. The major culprit is the road dust. — Sumit Mittal, Researcher

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Even at sites where the situation appeared slightly better, such as Lodhi Road with an AQI of 224 and ITO at 241, the air quality remained in the “poor” category. Meanwhile, Najafgarh neared the hazardous threshold with a reading of 393.

System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) warns that the air quality will likely stay in the upper end of the “very poor” category through November 4. According to the CPCB’s AQI classification, values between 301 and 400 are termed “very poor”, posing serious risks. Prolonged exposure can lead to respiratory illnesses, while even the “poor” category can adversely affect healthy individuals and severely impact those with pre-existing conditions.

Meanwhile, a thick layer of toxic foam was spotted floating on the Yamuna at Kalindi Kunj.

The city’s weather on Saturday saw temperatures ranging from a minimum of 19.05 degrees Celsius to a maximum of 33.8 degrees Celsius, with a relative humidity of 26 per cent and wind speed of 26 km per hour.

Sumit Mittal, a researcher, said, “The bursting of firecrackers has a very marginal effect and the suspended particulate matter (SPM) generated during the bursting of firecrackers, subsides within only 24-48 hours. The major cause/culprit is the road dust.”

“Civic bodies are applying water to suppress the road dust during morning hours, which provides only temporary relief. Therefore, to save our people from all possible ill-effects of outdoor air pollution in Delhi/NCR areas, we must apply water during both vehicular peak hours ie during 0800 to 1100 hrs and 1700 to 2100 hrs,” he added.