Delhi Air Remains 'Severe Plus', AAP Minister Seeks Centre's Nod for Artificial Rain | Top Points

New Delhi: As national capital and its joining areas, including Noida and Gurugram, continue to choke amid rising air pollution levels, Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 500-mark (severe plus) in several areas of Delhi on Tuesday, November 19.

areas with over 500 AQI include Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Narela, Palam, Nehru Nagar, Mundka, Okhla, Dwarka and Jahangirpuri. As air pollution woes worsen, residents woke up to a thick layer of toxic smog enveloping city and its neighbouring areas on Tuesday as well for seventh consecutive day.

AAP Minister Gopal Rai Seeks Centre's Nod for Artificial Rain

Meanwhile, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday urged Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yav to convene an emergency meeting and grant NOC for cloud seeding to induce artificial rains in city. 

He outlined need for immediate action as pollution levels in capital have reached severe category.

Delhi Air Pollution: AQI Hits 500-Mark

On Monday, Union health secretary issued an updated visory to states and union territories in regard to air pollution. In wake of air emergency in city, Delhi University (DU) has decided to switch to online learning mode till November 23 while Jawaharlal Nehru University will conduct online classes till November 22.

According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI in Delhi's Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Major Dhyan Chand Stium and several or places touched 500-mark at 5am on Tuesday, raising grave concerns about public health and safety. According to AQI classifications, a 0-50 range is considered "good," 51-100 "satisfactory," 101-200 "moderate," 201-300 "poor," 301-400 "very poor," and 401-500 "severe".

Delhi Air Pollution: Top Points

• Several areas in Delhi, including Jawaharlal Nehru Stium, North Campus, Wazirpur and Mundka recorded 500 AQI at at 5am today, followed by RK Puram (499) and Dwarka sector-8 (498).
• In a notification, DU announced regular classes in “physical mode” will resume on November 25 while JNU said it would conduct all classes online till November 22. schedule of exams and interviews, however, remains unchanged, universities said.
• Delhi government led by AAP described air situation a “medical emergency” and asked institutions to take preventive measures in interest of public health. two major factors behind Delhi's air pollution are wear conditions and stubble burning.
• Delhi government announced suspension of physical classes for Class 10 and 12 students, with all moving online starting tomorrow, November 19, 2024.
• Gautam Buddh Nagar and Ghaziab ministration have also ordered suspension of physical classes till Class 12 in all schools. As per order, studies will continue in online mode due to poor air quality.
• With AQI hitting ‘severe plus’ category choking Delhi, Supreme Court on Monday directed all NCR states to immediately form teams to strictly implement anti-pollution Gred Response Action Plan- Stage 4 (GRAP) curbs, making it clear that restriction will remain in place until furr orders. court asserted that it is constitutional duty of all states to ensure all citizens live in a pollution-free environment.
• apex court came down heavily on Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) for “delaying” implementation of Gred Response Action Plan (GRAP) and said it followed a “wrong” approach.