Delhi: Capital continues to choke as Air Quality turns 'Hazardous'

Major Pollutants PM 2.5 at 500 and PM 10 at 500 both at 'severe' was detected at Lodhi area according to the AQI (Air Quality Index). Meanwhile, Anand Vihar also reported a hazardous Air Quality on Friday. 

Delhi continues to choke 

Delhi woke up to a 'Hazardous' air on Friday as the AQI across Delhi was detected ranging between 690 to 411(Hazardous). The AQI in Anand Vihar, at PM 10 at 690 were detected around 7 am, being the highest in the region.  The last week of October resulted to be the worst in terms of Air Quality According to centre-run System of Air Quality Forecasting And Research (SAFAR). Major pollutants PM 2.5 reached 376 'Very Poor', while PM 10 was 'Poor' which is at 278 at Lodhi Road. Noida and Ghaziabad, adjoining Delhi, were equally polluted. Vasundhara, Ghaziabad AQI was 642 at 8 am. Sector - 62 in Noida recorded an AQI of 606 both Hazardous. Many districts in Punjab had a concentration of 350-450.

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School Students asked to wear masks

Amidst the spike in pollution, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday announced that masks will be distributed in schools from Friday as a precaution for children who come to school and are involved in outdoor activities. The skies over the national capital were a smoky grey on Wednesday as the sun struggled to shine through the haze with the air quality continuing to be in the "severe" category in the city and the adjoining areas.

READ | Delhi: Air quality worsens in national capital

Arvind Kejriwal blames stubble burning in neighbouring states 

Delhi Chief Minister on Friday said the main reason behind the spike in pollution was stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. He also urged the governments of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to take steps to prevent stubble burning in their states. Meanwhile, there were demands of some sporting events like the T20 match between India and Bangladesh to be cancelled owing to the alarming level of pollution. However, BCCI confirmed the match will take place as scheduled. 

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READ | BCCI gives green light for T20 in Delhi amid worrying pollution levels