Delhi air quality plunges to severe category

New Delhi: Delhi residents woke up on Tuesday morning to witness poor air quality, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 401 at 7 am, falling under the “severe” category. This comes a day after light rainfall in the city, which failed to improve pollution levels significantly. People have been facing several kinds of difficulties amid rising air pollutions.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI levels are categorised as follows: 0-50 “good,” 51-100 “satisfactory,” 101-200 “moderate,” 201-300 “poor,” 301-400 “very poor,” and 401-450 “severe.” AQI above 450 is marked as “severe plus.”

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Today at 7 am, Delhi’s 36 air quality monitoring stations reported AQI levels under 450. The worst air quality was recorded at Bawana (455), while Dilshad Garden had the best reading at 222, classified as “poor.”

The deteriorating air quality has raised health concerns, particularly among children and the elderly. Hospitals are seeing a rise in pollution-related illnesses such as respiratory issues, coughing, sneezing, fever, and lung infections. Many patients have required hospitalisation due to severe symptoms.

Health experts recommend avoiding outdoor activities unless necessary. Wearing masks and taking other protective measures are essential to reduce the risk of pollution-related health problems. As Delhi battles toxic air, it highlights the urgent need for stricter pollution control measures and public awareness to tackle this recurring issue.

With the winter setting in, a dip in the minimum temperature makes the air cold and heavy leading to accumulation of pollutants close to the ground.