Delhi air quality turns severe ahead of Diwali, AQI tops 400 in areas
Stage-II curbs under the Graded Response Action Plan have been imposed across the NCR as air quality worsens.
Key facts
Story- Delhi's air quality index reached 'hazardous' levels, with some reports putting it at 451 and others at 331.
- Rohini, Punjabi Bagh and Bawana recorded AQI readings above 400, according to the reports.
- Stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan, GRAP-II, has been imposed across the NCR.
Delhi's air quality has slipped into the severe range ahead of Diwali, with several areas recording readings above 400 on the air quality index (AQI). Authorities have imposed Stage-II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-II) across the National Capital Region. The figure for the city as a whole differs between accounts: one report put the citywide AQI at 'hazardous' 451, while another gave 331. Neither account named who recorded the figure.
Pollution readings by area
Rohini, Punjabi Bagh and Bawana recorded AQI figures above 400, the reports said. Under the Central Pollution Control Board's scale, a reading of 401 to 500 is classed as severe, and 301 to 400 as very poor. Many areas of the city were in the severe zone on Tuesday morning, one report said.
The measures under GRAP-II include daily mechanical sweeping of roads and water sprinkling on heavy-traffic roads. Authorities have not said how many vehicles or industrial units will be affected by the curbs.
Background to the spike
Delhi's air typically worsens in the post-monsoon winter months, when cooler air traps smoke and dust close to the ground. The Diwali period adds fireworks and crop residue burning to that load. The sources do not say how far those factors contributed to this week's readings.
For readers in India, the curbs can affect daily travel and work in the capital. Heavy-traffic roads may see sprinkling and sweeping during working hours. Anyone with asthma or heart conditions may want to limit time outdoors while readings stay high.
What happens next
The reports do not say how long GRAP-II will stay in force, or whether stricter stages will follow if the air worsens further. Officials have not announced any new restrictions beyond the sweeping and sprinkling measures. Readers should check the latest CPCB readings for their own area before Diwali.
Worth your time?
One tap helps idly bring you more of what matters.
Advertisement
