The air quality in Delhi-NCR is getting poorer day by day and its effect is quite visible among Delhiites. It is getting quite difficult to take a breath and people are advised to take the necessary steps to save themselves. On Friday, 3rd November 2023 as well the quality of air was reported as poor and with each passing day it is deteriorating. According to the reports, the air quality remained in the severe category on Friday. In Lodhi Garden, the AQI was recorded at 438, whereas in Jahangirpuri the AQI was recorded at 491. In the area of RK Puram, the quality of air was reported at 486 and in IGI Airport (T3) it was 473.
As per the report of Mint, the farm fires are responsible for today’s poor air quality. Apart from a surge in farm fires an unexpected downfall in temperature along with airspeed was reported on Friday. Those who are travelling in Delhi are spotting a fog that apparently resembles the smoky blanket. Delhiites reported that they are finding difficulty in breathing due to the “severe” AQI and some are complaining of sore throat. As per the data of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI in several locations in Delhi is reported at “400”, it is worth noting that the danger mark on a scale is 500.
Furthermore, the worst AQI was recorded at Patparganj, Anand Vihar station, and Punjabi Bagh station. According to the data, the AQI of these areas is reported at 480, 483, and 493. The report states that Delhi has been listed as one of the most polluted cities in the last 5 years. According to a recent report, apart from Delhi, the other states where air quality was reported below average. The report of Respirer states that over the past 5 years, the Air Quality in Delhi has been worse than Mumbai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. According to the Respirer Report, the capital of India had the highest Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 levels in the month of October 2023.
The report further indicates that Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai registered PM 2.5 levels higher as compared to last year. The Respirer analysis reports state that PM 2.5 concentrations between the years 2019 and 2023 in 8 major state capitals of India- Patna, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Lucknow, and Mumbai. In Patna and Lucknow, the PM levels in October have fallen between 2022. The report states that “In Patna, PM 2.5 fell between 2019 and 2020 by 14%, dipped further in 2021 by 36.7 per cent, increased significantly in the year 2022 which was reported by 47%, then dropped down again in this year (2023) by 11.1%.”
After watching the constant drop in air quality, many things have been prohibited in Delhi. The activities associated with crushing and mining or construction and demolition (C&D) have been prohibited. Furthermore, there is a ban on non-essential construction work along with the closure of all government and private schools in Delhi for the next 2 days. The suspension of schools came in the context of avoiding health and respiratory problems in children. Moreover, in the wake of severe Air quality, restrictions and bans have been implemented on petrol and diesel vehicles that are functioning in and around Delhi. We are also advising our readers to take necessary precautions and try to remain in their homes and those who are coming out are advised to carry masks along with them.