Air quality ‘severe’ in Delhi; ‘stay indoors’

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, November 12

As the air quality in the Delhi-NCR on Friday dropped to the “severe” category, the authorities directed state governments and agencies to step up action.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) advised people to reduce the usage of vehicles by at least 30 per cent by working from home, car-pooling, and optimising their field activities, officials said.

Delhi recorded its 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) at 471 by 4 pm, the worst this season so far. It was 411 on Thursday.

In view of unfavourable meteorology, stubble-burning and poor dispersion resulting in accumulation of pollutants, the coming week is critical with regard to air quality in the region, observed a meeting of the sub-committee of the Graded Response Action Plan chaired by Prashant Gargava, member secretary, CPCB.

Experts say meteorological conditions are “highly unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants till November 18 due to low wind speed (north-westerly) and calm conditions during the night”.