Delhi: Air Quality remains at 'severe' category for 4th consecutive day

As the capital continues to reel under hazardous air quality levels, the figures reportedly remained in the 'severe category' for the fourth consecutive day on Saturday, November 16. The AQI on Saturday, at around 10:00 am was 404. The severity of the situation can be assessed by the sight of Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Gurugram, and Noida being engulfed by a thick blanket of smog.

"The overall Delhi AQI shot up very fast towards the higher side of severe category mainly due to secondary particulate formation after Delhi experience slight drizzle which is always lethal as also happened in the first week of November. Although PM 2.5 is recovering during the daylight, Western Disturbance induced cloudy conditions prevailing over entire northwest India may bring some isolated drizzle in Delhi to offset the day gain," SAFAR stated.

"Drizzling delayed the recovery and hence, improvement to the very poor category is now expected only by November 17," it added. However, the Arvind Kejriwal-led government's Odd-Even scheme ended on Friday but Kejriwal said that the government will make a decision on Monday on the continuation of the scheme.

READ: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal: 'Decision on extending Odd-Even scheme on November 18'

READ: Delhi: Toxic air affecting the underprivileged children on the streets

Odd-Even Scheme

As pollution levels in the national capital hovered close to emergency levels, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday stated that the Delhi government will make a decision whether or not to continue the Odd-Even scheme on November 18. CM Kejriwal addressing the press stated, "As per weather forecasts, air quality in Delhi is set to improve in the next two to three days. If the air quality does not improve, we will make a decision on extending the Odd-Even scheme on November 18."

The Supreme Court, on November 13, criticised the Centre over deteriorating air quality in Delhi and asked the government to find a solution to the problem of air pollution. It asked the Centre to explore Hydrogen based fuel technology to find a solution to reduce air pollution in North India and Delhi-NCR. In reply, the Centre also told the Supreme Court that it is exploring technology, including that from Japan and is trying to tackle air pollution. Furthermore, it has been decided that the Centre will submit a report on the issue by December 3.

READ: Delhi-NCR continue to battle air pollution, AQI hovers around 482 in capital

READ: Delhi schools to remain shut on November 14 & 15, following EPCA recommendation

(With Inputs from ANI)