Delhi city engulfed in smog, air quality ‘very poor’ for second consecutive day
New Delhi: Tuesday morning saw the national capital’s air quality stay in the “severe plus” category for the second day in a row. Smog covered the city, making it difficult to see, and the air pollution increased to an uncomfortably high level of bad AQI.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reports that as of 8 am, the national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was 488, falling into the “severe plus” category.
The air is deemed harmful to health at such high Air Quality Index (AQI) values, especially for susceptible populations including children, the elderly, and those with heart or respiratory disorders.
The whole region is covered in a thick layer of pollution, according to drone footage taken at 7:20 a.m. today in Bhikaji Cama Place.
In the meanwhile, trains continue to travel through Delhi’s pollution. The region is also covered in a layer of haze, according to images taken from the New Delhi Railway Station.
According to the Railways, the haze has caused 22 trains to be delayed and 9 trains to be rescheduled.
Images taken from Kartavya Path and the neighboring surroundings also show individuals riding bicycles and doing their daily morning walks under dense fog.
In areas of the river close to Kalindi Kunj and Okhla Barrage, a thick froth of poisonous foam continues to float since the pollution level is still high.
The fact that the air quality in many parts of Delhi is still classified as “severe plus” continues to cause people’ concerns.
According to SAFAR-India (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research), as of 8.30 am, the AQI for Anand Vihar was 500, Bawana was 500, CRRI Mathura Road was 500, DTU was 494, Dwarka Sector-8 was 494, ITO was 391, Jahangirpuri was 493, Lodhi Road was 488, Mundka was 498, Narela was 500, North Campus was 494, Punjabi bagh was 495, RK Puram was 490, Shadipur was 498, and Wazirpur was at 498.
Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), citing high pollution and dangerous AQI readings in Delhi and the NCR, has decided to hold sessions virtually till November 22 due to the deteriorating air quality in the nation’s capital.
The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Gurugram, Haryana, declared that all physical classes up to the 12th standard in the Gurugram district will remain suspended from November 19 to November 23, 2024, or until further notice, in accordance with orders from the Director of Secondary Education Haryana and following an assessment of the Air Quality Index (AQI) situation.
In a number of cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and portions of northern India, the quality of the air has become worse, reaching dangerous levels and posing health dangers.
The Supreme Court on Monday issued a letter warning litigants and counsel on the highest court grounds to wear masks and take health precautions due to “severe” pollution in the nation’s capital.
“Inviting reference to Order dated November 17, 2024, of Director (Technical), Member Convenor of Sub-Committee on GRAP, Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas notifying implementation of Actions under stage-IV (Severe Air Quality) of revised Graded Response Action Plan in Delhi-NCR, it has been directed that an advisory be issued for taking preventive health measures including wearing of mask,” the Supreme Court stated in its notice.
“Everyone is, therefore, advised to ensure wearing of a mask and taking health measures mentioned in the aforesaid order,” it said.
