32 of the city’s 36 monitoring centers recorded AQI in the ‘severe plus’ category.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), pollution levels in Delhi remained dangerous on Wednesday as the air quality index reached 448 at 6 pm, approaching the ‘severe plus’ category. 32 of the city’s 36 monitoring stations recorded AQI in the ‘severe plus’ category, while readings crossed 480 at some locations, creating an extremely hazardous environment for residents.
The remaining stations reported ‘severe’ air quality. Air quality in Anand Vihar, Bawana, Burari, Dwarka, ITO, Jahangirpuri, North Campus of DU has been recorded in ‘severe plus’ category. According to the CPCB’s color-coded warning, an AQI of 400 or above calls for immediate attention.
Delhi has been experiencing toxic air quality for the past few days due to reduced wind speed, which has allowed local pollutants to concentrate in the atmosphere, according to experts. The city’s 24-hour average AQI at 4 pm on Tuesday was 433, compared to 379 on Monday. A shallow fog remained throughout the city throughout the day, and the wind was sharp in many places, adding to the discomfort.
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Although the maximum temperature reached 23 degrees Celsius, slightly above the season’s average, the evening felt cooler than expected. Earlier, the day’s minimum temperature was recorded at 7.6 degrees Celsius, one degree below the season’s normal. The city remains under Phase IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the strictest anti-pollution measures, which include bans on construction activities and entry of non-essential polluting trucks into Delhi.
According to CPCB guidelines, an AQI of 400 or above demands immediate attention. GRAP classifies air quality into four levels: Level I (Poor, AQI 201-300), Level II (Very Poor, AQI 301-400), Level III (Severe, AQI 401-450), and Level IV (Severe Plus, (AQI) above 450).
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by DNA staff and is published by PTI)