The air quality in Delhi remained toxic on Tuesday, with pollution levels edging closer to the 'severe' category in several areas. At 9 am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 384, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
High concentrations of pollutants such as PM2.5 and PM10 have raised health concerns and the deterioration of the air quality was triggered after people flouted ban on firecrackers.
The 24-hour average AQI, recorded until 4 pm daily was reported at 381 on Monday, the second highest in the country.
Data from the CPCB's Sameer app, which provides hourly AQI updates, showed that out of the 38 monitoring stations, 13 were in the severe category with readings above 400.
These stations are Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Dwarka, NSIT Dwarka, Nehru Nagar, Moti Marg, Sonia Vihar, Vivek Vihar, Wazirpur, Rohini, Punjabi Bagh, Mundka and Jahangirpuri.
Severe air quality readings between 400 and 500 affect healthy people and seriously impact those with existing diseases, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
According to AQI classifications, 0-50 range is 'good,' 51-100 is 'satisfactory,' 101-200 is 'moderate,' 201-300 is 'poor,' 301-400 is 'very poor,' and 401-500 is 'severe.'
Delhi Weather Condition
The minimum temperature dropped to 17.6 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal.
At 8:30 am, humidity levels stood at 94 percent, according to the India Meteorological Department.
The weather office has forecast mainly clear skies during the day, with the maximum temperature expected to reach around 33 degrees Celsius.
Delhi Environ Minister Launches Campaign To Prevent Open Burning Of Waste
A campaign to discourage open burning of waste will begin in Delhi from Wednesday in view of the rising air pollution, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference, Rai said 588 teams from different civic agencies, including the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), will be deployed on field to report open burning incidents across the city.
"Pollution level in Delhi has reached 400, next ten days are going to be crucial. I held a meeting with 33 departments to take stock of the situation. All departments have been instructed to stay on alert mode," Rai said.
He also said he has urged the Union environment minister to grant permission for artificial rain in Delhi to improve the air quality.
Sharing details on the ongoing efforts of the Delhi government to tackle the pollution menace, Rai said over 7,900 sites have been inspected since the implementation of the Winter Action Plan in the city.
A penalty of Rs 63 lakh has been imposed on 428 offenders for major violations, the minister added.
(With PTI inputs)
