Delhi Under Smog Blanket As Air Quality Remains “Severe”
On Saturday morning, the city’s total Air Quality Index (AQI) was 431, and the air quality in Delhi remained in the “severe” category for the third day in a row.
The city was covered in a heavy layer of haze, mostly as a result of unfavourable weather and field fires in Punjab. According to official data released on Friday, Punjab’s stubble burning was responsible for 34% of Delhi’s PM 2.5 pollution.
In several regions, the level of PM2.5, or lung-damaging tiny particles, was above 460 micrograms per cubic metre, or about eight times the acceptable limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre.
At 7 am this morning, Noida and Gurugram in the national capital region (NCR) area registered AQI values of 529 and 478, respectively. An AQI of 534 was measured in Dhirpur, West Delhi.
Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, said on Friday that primary schools in the city would be shuttered starting today as a result of the deteriorating air quality. Gopal Rai, the environment minister, announced that 50% of Delhi’s government employees would work remotely.
Classes V through VII won’t be allowed to go outside until the city’s air quality is better.According to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, greater stubble burning is the outcome of a record crop harvest. He did ensure that measures are being done to lessen the burning, though. Delhi’s prohibition on light motor vehicles powered by non-BS VI diesel was declared by environment minister Gopal Rai. Additionally, 500 privately operated CNG buses will be part of the new “Paryavaran Bus Service,” which was also announced by Mr. Rai.
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