Anurag Kumar
Now that the air quality in Delhi has reached the highest possible level on the index, which is known as “severe plus,” the city’s residents are at risk of developing significant health disorders. The air quality index (AQI) in the nation’s capital reached 454 on Sunday, prompting the federal authorities to take any and all steps that are at their disposal in order to prevent the degree of air pollution from reaching any previously unreachable heights.
The average AQI was reported at 470 this morning, which is approximately 20 times higher than the level that is advised by the World Health Organization (WHO). The data that was collected in real time indicates that this was the case. According to data provided by aqi.in, the current air quality index has reached the 480-point threshold.
A bird’s-eye view near AIIMS, Delhi, shows how the national capital is wrapped in toxic air.
#WATCH | Delhi: The air quality in Delhi is in the 'Severe' category as per the Central Pollution Control Board.
(Drone camera visuals from near AIIMS, shot at 7.30 a.m) pic.twitter.com/7XbvJmfzaM
— ANI (@ANI) November 6, 2023
In the months leading up to the rabi crop season in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, there was an increase in the amount of paddy straw that was burned, which is said to be one of the causes of the terrible air quality in Delhi. On the other hand, according to the environment minister in Delhi, Gopal Rai, the burning of stubble is only a problem in the neighbouring states of Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and not in the state of Punjab at all.
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- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast no rainfall in the city, which could improve the AQI by forcing down air pollutants.
- A high-level meeting has been called today by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal to take stock of the deteriorating AQI and the implementation of stage 4 under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
- The New Delhi-based Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) said a total of 4,160 farm fires have been recorded till Sunday, which is the highest so far for this season. Punjab alone has reported 3,230 incidents of stubble burning, which is the state’s highest in a day for this season.
- Rai contended that Punjab, an AAP-ruled state, has recorded less stubble burning if compared with last year. He said the farm fires in the state do not have as much impact on the AQI as smoke from Haryana and UP does.
- Ahead of the next cricket World Cup match, Bangladesh and Sri Lankan cricketers find it difficult to get some practise sessions done on Delhi grounds. Asthmatic Bangladesh cricketers remained indoors, while Sri Lankan players wore masks.
- Among the types of health hazards, people in Delhi are prone to coronary artery diseases like heart attack, brain stroke, and arthritis, as Dr. Piyush Ranjan, an additional professor in the department of medicine at AIIMS, drew a relation between those serious health conditions and air pollution.
