Delhi-NCR: All schools closed due to rise in pollution levels

Private and government-run schools in the Delhi and NCR region remain closed for Thursday and Friday as the air quality remains in the 'Severe' category as of Thursday morning. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the overall air quality of the national capital docked at 472 at 7:00 AM on Wednesday. The overall Delhi AQI is at the higher end of the 'Severe' category.

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'The effective stubble fire counts estimated by SAFAR has shown a decreasing trend'

"The effective stubble fire counts estimated by Safar-integrated multi-satellite methodology has shown a decreasing trend (480 counts on November 12). Hence, a decline in biomass share in Delhi's air quality is estimated as 13 per cent for November 14 in spite of favourable transport-level wind trajectory," SAFAR stated. Though a slight improvement in day time pollution concentration is expected today, but PM 2.5 levels will start to increase immediately after sunset, it added. It went on to share that the air quality is likely to deteriorate during stable night and tomorrow and stay in the 'Severe' category. Air quality condition is likely to marginally improve by tomorrow (Friday), but a reasonable improvement to the 'very poor' is expected only by November 16 (Saturday).

READ | Delhi Schools To Remain Shut On November 14 & 15, Following EPCA Recommendation

The Supreme Court criticised the Centre over deteriorating air quality

The Supreme Court, on Wednesday, 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 & Delhi-NCR. In reply to that, 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 Pollution: NDMC Deploys Water Sprinklers To Settle Dust As AQI Rises

NDMC deployed water sprinklers

After the pollution levels rose again, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) deployed water sprinklers in order to curb the situation on Wednesday. The NDMC began the sprinkling process on Feroz Shah Road to settle the dust. These steps were taken after it was noticed that at 11 in the morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was 476. Further, at Dhirpur, the air quality was 416 while at Delhi University it was clocked at 433. In the famous Chandni Chowk area of the National Capital, AQI was relatively low with 381, which falls in the very poor category and at Lodhi road, it was 457.

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(With inputs from ANI)