On Wednesday, the air quality in Delhi-NCR remained dangerously poor, approaching the 'severe' level in many areas throughout the region.
As of 7:30 A.M., Delhi's average air quality index (AQI) was reported to be 358 by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
In Delhi, the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeded 400, reaching 'severe' levels in places such as Bawana (412), Mundka (419), NSIT Dwarka (447), and Wazirpur (421).
Delhi's air quality declines to 'very poor' during heavy morning fog as well.
In the meantime, the majority of other areas registered AQI levels surpassing 300, such as Alipur (372), Ashok Vihar (398), Burari Crossing (370), Jahangirpuri (398), IGI Airport (347), New Moti Bagh (381), R.K. Puram (373), Dilshad Garden (358), DTU (355), North Campus DU (373), Siri Fort (341), Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium (315), Najafgarh (354), and Punjabi Bagh (388).
Every area in the capital city had air quality levels classified as 'very poor', posing significant health hazards.
In the National Capital Region (NCR), Faridabad had an AQI of 234, Gurugram 304, Ghaziabad 276, Greater Noida 274, and Noida 266, all showing high readings.
The CPCB categorizes AQI levels into different categories: 'good' (0-50), 'satisfactory' (51-100), 'moderate' (101-200), 'poor' (201-300), 'very poor' (301-400), and 'severe' (401-450), classifying anything above 450 as 'severe plus.'
Delhi saw an average 24-hour AQI of 381 on Monday, which was one of the highest levels ever recorded in the country.
Exacerbating the already bad air conditions, the India Meteorological Department noted a decrease in visibility to 1,800 meters over the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday, compared to 2,100 meters the night before. At the same time, a thick, harmful foam was found on the surface of the Yamuna River at Kalindi Kunj, and pollution levels in the river remain high.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has taken various measures, such as the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), to reduce pollution levels that are on the rise.
