Delhi’s air quality ‘severe plus’, AQI climbs 494 

The national capital did not witness any relief on Tuesday as the air quality continued to deteriorate at 494, leaving Delhi AQI to be in the ‘severe plus’ category. The smog engulfing much of northern India is considered to be atleast 60 times more toxic than the WHO’s limit.

As per SAFAR’s reading, the average AQI of Delhi on Tuesday stands 494. Several regions in Delhi such as Mandir Marg and Mundka were at 500.

Amid rising pollution levels in the capital, in-person classes have been suspended for classes 10 and 12. Additionally, the Haryana government has declared holidays for students up to Class 5 in both government and private schools. The Directorate of School Education issued directives allowing Deputy Commissioners to extend the holiday or shift to online classes depending on local air quality conditions. This measure applies to regions like Gurgaon and Faridabad, which are seeing severe AQI levels similar to Delhi.

Travel advisory:

Airlines and railways have annonced travel meaures over the delay that might be caused to the worsening weather conditions.

The worsening weather conditions have affected railway operations with 22 trains running late and 9 trains put back.

“Foggy weather in Delhi, Amritsar and Chandigarh is affecting travel conditions, including slow-moving traffic and possible changes to flight operations. Please plan accordingly and stay updated on the flight status for a smooth journey,” said airline IndiGo.

Top Court orders strict actions

Meanwhile, in the national capital, the Supreme Court on Monday directed Delhi and NCR states to strictly implement GRAP Stage IV anti-pollution measures, as the AQI remains in the “severe” category.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Augustine George Masih also instructed Delhi-NCR states to immediately form teams to monitor compliance with actions required under the plan.

The court further ordered the continuation of GRAP Stage IV measures even if the AQI falls below 450 and directed all NCR states and the central government to file compliance affidavits.

This decision followed a sharp rise in Delhi’s daily average AQI to 441 by 4 pm on Sunday, escalating further to 457 by 7 pm, prompting an emergency meeting of the GRAP Sub-Committee.

GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) is a set of anti-air pollution measures implemented in the national capital and its surrounding areas based on the severity of the situation. Restrictions under GRAP Stages III and IV are enforced when air quality becomes severe.

Delhi AQI likely to remain ‘severe’ till Nov 21

According to CPCB’s bulletin, Monday’s ‘severe plus’ Air Quality Index was surpassed only by the reading of 497 recorded on November 6, 2016, and matched the measurement from November 13, 2019.

The day was characterised by poor visibility and grey conditions across Delhi. The maximum temperature fell to the season’s lowest at 23.5 degrees Celsius, four degrees below normal and 3.7 degrees lower than Sunday. The minimum temperature registered 16.2 degrees Celsius, four degrees above normal.

The Air Quality Early Warning System, under the Union ministry of earth sciences, indicates that air quality will likely remain ‘severe’ until November 21, with AQI staying above 400. However, uncertainty remains about whether the AQI will exceed 450, reaching ‘severe plus’ levels.

CPCB data reveals that the AQI, measuring 441 at 4pm on Sunday, reached ‘severe plus’ levels by 6pm at 452. It increased to 468 by 10pm Sunday, reaching 485 by 9am Monday and 495 by 7pm. Fifteen of Delhi’s 36 air monitoring stations recorded maximum AQI of 500, whilst others approached similar extreme levels.

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