Delhi’s air quality continues to worsen with each passing day, with several areas already reporting an Air Quality Index (AQI) in the “severe” category. On Sunday, the city’s overall AQI stood at 366,
falling under the “very poor” range, while three monitoring stations recorded “severe” levels with AQI readings above 400.
In an official statement, the Centre’s Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) warned Delhi soon may saw an AQI in ‘severe’ category. “Delhi’s air quality is very likely to be in the ‘very poor’ category from Sunday till Monday. The air quality is very likely to be in the ‘severe’ category on Tuesday, before once again returning to ‘very poor’ on Wednesday,” it said.
Besides Delhi, Dharuhera in Haryana saw an AQI of 434, falling in the “severe” category, while the air quality of Maharashtra’s Bhiwandi stood in “very poor” quality at 376.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the concentration of PM2.5 was recorded at 189.6 micrograms per cubic metre, while PM10 levels stood at 316. PM2.5 consists of fine inhalable particles with diameters of 2.5 micrometres or less, whereas PM10 includes comparatively larger particles measuring up to 10 micrometres.
At these levels, the pollutants can lead to breathing difficulties, particularly for individuals with respiratory or heart conditions, as well as for children and older adults.
