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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1. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast no rainfall in the city, which could improve the AQI by forcing down air pollutants.
2. 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).
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.

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The National Capital issued an air emergency declaration on Thursday due to its air quality index declining to “severe” levels days before Diwali. Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, has declared that all government and primary institutions in the city will remain closed on Friday and Saturday due to the escalating pollution levels. Non-essential construction activities and the operation of BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel vehicles were prohibited in Delhi Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gautam Budh Nagar by the Delhi government. The overall AQI in Delhi was classified as “severe” on Friday morning, with the Lodhi Road area measuring 438, Jahangirpuri area 491 at 491 degrees, RK Puram area 486, and the vicinity of IGI Airport (T3) 473.

Severe to hazardous AQI in Delhi-National Capital Region: Here are the top ten points

An AQI ranging from 0 to 50 is deemed excellent, from 51 to 100 is deemed satisfactory, from 101 to 200 is considered moderate, from 201 to 300 is deemed poor, from 301 to 400 is deemed extremely poor, and from 401 to 500 is deemed severe; exceeding 500 is hazardous.

2. Although the air quality in Delhi has already reached a severe level, scientists have issued warnings of additional degradation. The AQI dropped to 422 at 10 p.m. on Thursday, the lowest level of the season. Wednesday had an average AQI of 364, Tuesday had 359, Monday had 347, Sunday had 325, Saturday had 304, and Friday had 261.

3. At multiple locations on Thursday, the PM2.5 concentration exceeded the safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre by a factor of seven to eight.

4. According to a model-based study by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune, smoke from residue burning was responsible for 25% of the PM2.5 pollution in Delhi on Thursday. It could increase by 35% today.

5. With no precipitation in October 2023, Delhi experienced its worst air quality since 2020 in October 2023. In October 2023, a meagre 5.4mm of precipitation was documented, which stands in stark contrast to the 129mm and 123mm recorded in October 2022 and 2021, respectively.

6. From November 1 to November 15, when residue burning by farmers in Punjab and Haryana increases, Delhi experiences its highest levels of air pollution. According to a report by the Commission for Air Quality Management, instances of vegetation burning in Haryana and Punjab have decreased since September 15 of this year. However, there has been a notable increase in recent days.

7. In Gurugram, Section 144 has been invoked due to the deteriorating air quality index. As of Friday, both Noida and Greater Noida are subject to GRAP III restrictions.

8. The Delhi Metro will operate twenty additional trains in an effort to persuade more individuals to forego automobiles in favor of metro travel.

9. Other things that are not allowed in Delhi under GRAP III are tearing down buildings, loading and unloading construction materials on or off of project sites, moving vehicles on unpaved roads, operating a batching plant, laying sewer lines, waterlines, drainage systems, and electric cables in an open trench system, and cutting and putting down tiles, stones, and other flooring materials.

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10. The government intends to augment the frequency of automated road scouring and implement daily water sprinkling in addition to the use of dust suppressants.

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