New Delhi, Dec 14 (UNI) Toxic smog blanketed the national capital on Sunday, breaching the 'severe plus' category in the early hours. Acrid smell persisted in the air as the pollutants trapped in the lower surface due to stagnant winds left residents with breathing discomfort, burning eyes, and other respiratory issues.
At 6 AM on Sunday, the air quality index of the national capital touched 462, according to the data recorded by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), falling in the 'severe plus' category.
As per CPCB's classification, an AQI between 400 and 450 is considered 'severe', posing health risks even to healthy individuals and causing serious respiratory issues among those with pre-existing conditions. While the AQI levels above 450 are classified as 'severe plus', which figures in extremely hazardous air quality, making breathing difficult and impacting vulnerable populations significantly.
The situation improved slightly as the day progressed, with AQI levels dropping to 457, yet remaining in the 'severe plus' category at 1 PM, according to data recorded by the Sameer App.
All 39 monitoring stations in Delhi are marked 'red', indicating 'Severe' air. Rohini, with an AQI of 499, was the worst affected, followed closely by Vivek Vihar (495), Jahangirpuri (494), Wazirpur (493) and Ashok Vihar (493), and Anand Vihar (490). Of the remaining 33 stations, 20 breached or hovered near the 'severe plus' category.
Several areas in Delhi also reported low visibility as the smog cloaked several parts of Delhi, including the Patparganj area in East Delhi.
Meanwhile, amid rapidly deteriorating air quality in the national capital, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday invoked Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), just hours after imposing Stage 3 measures across Delhi and the NCR.
Under the stricter pollution-curbing measures, schools in the region have been directed to shift to a hybrid mode of classes until further orders, while government offices have been urged to operate at 50 per cent capacity to reduce vehicular emissions, a major contributor to the city's PM2.5 load.
Meanwhile, on Saturday, CAQM, taking cognisance of the non-implmentation of its orders of November 19 instructing schools and educational institutions, sports bodies and local bodies not to hold any outdoor physical sports activities, has once again written a letter to the Delhi Chief Secretary to implement its earlier order in letter and spirit, considering the deteriorating air quality scenario in the Delhi capital region.