Air quality in some areas of Delhi falls into ‘severe category’, SAFAR reports

NEW DELHI: Air quality in Delhi fell into ‘severe’ category with AQI of 457 in the Anand Vihar area on Saturday and it was also recorded in the severe category in Noida, as per National Air Quality Index.

According to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Delhi’s overall air quality was 381 in ‘very poor’ category in the afternoon. In the Delhi University area, the air quality was at 399, also in the ‘very poor’ category.

On Mathura road, it was 380. In Gurugram it was 349 while Noida was worst with an AQI of 411 in severe category.
Today morning the air quality in the national capital remained in the ‘very poor’ category with the overall air quality index (AQI) at 309.

Morning walkers, cyclists, and joggers working out near India Gate amid dipping air quality in New Delhi were seen affected due to the dip in the air quality.

“We are from Gurugram. There is breathing difficulty and irritation in the eyes,” a member of a group of cyclists told to media.

People felt this way because, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the AQI in the overall Delhi region was in the ‘very poor’ category at 309.

SAFAR’s official statistics, shows that, “Local surface winds are 6 to 8 km/h (Max Temperature 32 deg C; Min 14-15 deg C) for the next three days that cause weak dispersion of pollutants. Peak ‘Mixing layer height’ during daytime (~1.0-1.5 km) leads to moderate vertical dispersion of pollutants,”

The air quality watchdog also informed that strong winds at the transport level blowing from the northwest direction from stubble burning areas are likely to transport pollutants to Delhi and its share in Delhi’s PM2.5 is likely to increase further.

Environmentalist Vimlendu Jha told to ANI that Severe category AQI is very dangerous for health and it affects evene healthy people and seriously impacts those with existing diseases.

He posted a Twitter, stated that, “Delhi’s air has turned extremely toxic and situation is going to get worse. Almost all of Delhi is in severe category of AQI. Wondering when will there be a public health advisory, appropriate action by the local government”. (ANI)