Dense Smog Covers Delhi

Air Quality Nears "Severe Plus" Category…

On Friday, 17 November 2023, Delhi's air quality got worse and now stands closer to the "severe plus" category.

This is a stage which may trigger the implementation of the odd-even car rationing measure in Delhi.

On Thursday, the city's air quality index stood at 437 at 7 am, worsening from 419 at 4 pm.

The capital's 24-hour average AQI, recorded at 4 pm daily, was 401 on Wednesday, 397 on Tuesday, 358 on Monday, 218 on Sunday, 220 on Saturday, and 279 on Friday.

The relatively better air quality last weekend is attributed to rain.

Air pollution levels surged the following days due to intense firecrackers bursting on Diwali night and a resurgence in stubble burning in the neighbouring states.

These effects were compounded by unfavourable meteorological conditions, calm winds and low temperatures, hindering the dispersion of pollutants.

Neighbouring Ghaziabad (374), Gurugram (404), Greater Noida (313), Noida (366), and Faridabad (415) also recorded very poor to severe air quality.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe and above 450 severe plus.

Before this, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai mentioned the possibility of the return of the odd-even car rationing measure if the AQI crosses the 450 mark.