New Delhi (NVI): Delhi’s air quality remained in the ‘severe’ category today with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 443, as pollutants from farm fires in Punjab, Haryana and neighbouring regions continue to rise.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Jahangirpuri recorded ‘severe’ levels of air pollution with the AQI at 458 at around 10 am. The AQI in Dwarka was at 407, 380 in Najafgarh, 438 in Punjabi Bagh, 433 in Rohini.
“Some areas entered into ‘severe’ category even though the wind speed over Delhi improved to around 8-10kmph through the day,” the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air quality monitor, SAFAR, said.
However, the national capital air quality is likely to remain ‘severe’ on Diwali festival as well, it added.
Meanwhile, the air monitoring agencies said that, while meteorological conditions were moderately favourable for dispersion of pollutants, a very high number of farm fires in Punjab was the primary reason for ‘severe’ air quality.
The several parts of Delhi were also covered with smog this morning, including Burari, Peera Garhi, Kashmere Gate and Mukherjee Nagar area leading to decreased visibility.
Furthmore, SAFAR said that, the number of farm fires in Punjab remains very high (around 4,000) which is likely to impact the air quality in Delhi-NCR region and other parts of northwest India for coming days.
It said the AQI is likely to remain in the upper end of ‘very poor’ category on November 13 and ‘severe’ category on November 14 (Diwali).
Earlier yesterday, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said the Centre was taking all steps to combat air pollution in Delhi and other parts of north India ahead of the winter season.
-RJV
