Air quality turns ‘severe’ in parts of Delhi

The city recorded an overall air quality index in the ‘very poor’ category for the third consecutive day.

Oct 30, 2023 - 21:30

Air quality turns ‘severe’ in parts of Delhi

Air pollution in parts of Delhi entered the “severe” category on Monday, while the city recorded an overall air quality index in the “very poor” category for the third consecutive day.

Monitoring stations at three places in Delhi – Mundka (422), Wazirpur (419) and Rohini (418) – registered air quality in the “severe” category at 6 pm on Monday, according to data on the Central Pollution Control Board’s website.

An air quality index ranging between 401 and 500 falls under the “severe” category. A reading of above 400 can affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing illnesses.

The National Capital’s 24-hour average air quality index at 4 pm was recorded at 347, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s bulletin. An air quality index ranging between 301 and 400 falls under the “very poor” category. Air quality in the “very poor” category can lead to respiratory illness on prolonged exposure.

On Sunday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that although the number of crop burning incidents in Punjab has reduced, emissions from vehicles have become an important reason for air pollution in the capital, PTI reported. He urged the Centre to strictly ban buses running on poor-quality diesel in the National Capital Region.

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