Season's Worst Air Quality Ever, Delhi Pollution Drops To 'Severe' AQI

Delhi air quality has touched its new low with Anand Vihar recording 433 on the Air Quality Index (AQI), falling in the 'severe' category on Monday morning just a few days after Diwali. This has made Delhi-NCR's PM 2.5 levels over 65 times more than the WHO-prescribed limit. This was also reported by the IQAir website.

As of 7am, the data from Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that AQI at Wazipur reached 414, Jahangirpuri at 413, Rohini at 409, and Punjabi Bagh at 404. Other areas in the capital city are in the 'very poor' category with Alipur at 385, IGI Airport at 369, RK Puram at 392, Mandir Marg at 377, Pusa Road at 353, Shadipur at 378, and ITO at 353. Noida recorded a 338 AQI, and Gurugram at 310.

This was recorded just a few days after Diwali. The impact of firecrackers, pollution and stubble burning in the neighbouring states have contributed largely in worsening the air quality in the capital city. On Saturday, In Anand Vihar, the AQI crossed the 500 mark after 8.30am.

The Air Quality Index measures 0 to 50 as 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'.

"Meteorological conditions are likely to be extremely unfavourable for the dispersion of pollutants," the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi (EWS) said on Sunday.

At least 9% of families have one or more members suffering from respiratory diseases as pollution continues to rise. Pollution-related illnesses include sore throat, breathing issues, cough, shortness of breath, and many more are on the rise.

"From my experience, there has been roughly a 30-40% increase in patients presenting with pollution-related ENT issues like sinusitis, chronic throat irritation, and allergic rhinitis over the past decade," says Dr Sanjay Jain, ENT based in Delhi and a member of DocTube. He also suggests that people must wear N95 masks and consume warm fluids, herbal teas, and food rich in vitamin C.

To combat the rise in pollution levels, the Commission for Air Quality Management [CAQM] has taken several measures, including implementation of Graded Response Action Plan [GRAP]. The agency also imposed penalties on construction sites and ordered the closure of 56 construction and demolition sites and fined 597 sites that failed to meet pollution control between October 15 to 31.

The CAQM also deployed mechanical road-sweeping machines, water sprinklers and anti-smog guns, with around 600 sprinklers and anti-smog guns used daily.