Delhi's pollution stays in the 'poor category' for 2nd consecutive day

System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) on Thursday has said that the air quality in Delhi remained in the "poor category" for the second consecutive day. The overall air quality index in the national capital has stood at 283 by 8:30 in the morning. The Center-run SAFAR recorded an AQI of 145 at Dhirpur, Mathura road recorded a figure of 309, IIT Delhi recorded 316, Airport Terminal 3 at 234, Lodhi Road at 153 and Pusa at 239.

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'Take more breaks and do less intense activities'

An AQI between 0-50 is considered "good", 51-100 "satisfactory", 101-200 "moderate", 201-300 "poor", 301-400 "very poor", and 401-500 "severe". Above 500 is the "severe-plus emergency" category. SAFAR has advised people to refrain from any heavy exertion. "Take more breaks and do less intense activities. Asthmatics, keep medicine ready if symptoms of coughing or shortness of breath occur. Heart patients, see doctor, if get palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue," it said in an advisory.

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Earlier, due to the alarmingly worse air quality index, the Delhi government had announced a shut down of schools in the national capital. The UP and Haryana governments followed Delhi by announcing the shut down of schools for the very same reason. However, schools were reopened on November 5. Prior to the schools' shutdown, schools in the national capital had also advised the parents to send their children to classes after wearing masks. Some of the schools had even shifted their morning assembly indoors to avoid the health hazards from the pollution. The Directorate of Education had also advised all the heads of government, government-aided and unaided recognised schools under the Directorate of Education to ensure not to organise outdoor activities from schools until the pollution level reduces. The practice session ahead of India vs Bangladesh match in Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in Delhi on November 3 also saw players practicing by wearing masks to avoid any hazards due to pollution in the national capital.

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(With ANI inputs)