Ghaziabad: Air Quality Index (AQI) reaches 'severe' category

The AQI (Air Quality Index) in Ghaziabad and other NCR regions reached 'severe' category on Tuesday as pollution mayhem in the Delhi-NCR region continues. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Indirapuram reached 441, in the 'severe' category in the morning.

Air Quality in Ghaziabad 'severe'

READ | Delhi air pollution: AQI cross 'hazardous' 600 mark, visibility drops

Air Quality in Delhi 'serious' 

The average air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 331 in Delhi at 10.37 am on Monday, November 11. Major pollutants were also detected at Lodhi area in Delhi. PM 2.5 at 456 (severe) and PM 10 at 287 (poor) was recorded in Lodhi Road area according to (SAFAR). Anand Vihar in Delhi also recorded the 'serious' category with an AQI of 441 while the Rohini area was at an AQI of 440. 

READ | Indian cities with severe Air Quality Index: Delhi, Ghaziabad updates

Pollution levels dipped last week

India Meteorological Department's official said the spike in pollution levels, could be attributed to a significant decline in the wind speed from 20 kilometres per hour over the last two days to 10 kilometres per hour. A dip in the temperature has also led to the accumulation of pollutants near the ground, he told PTI. The national capital had a sigh of relief last week after the pollution level dipped following the favourable wind direction. However, officials say the situation could deteriorate further with winter setting in the region.  

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal earlier blamed the stubble burning in neighbouring states for the increased pollution levels in Delhi. He also urged the governments of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to take steps to prevent stubble burning in their states. According to Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC), straw burning has increased this year.

Earlier, the Delhi Government shut schools and declared a major health emergency after the Air Quality in Delhi worsened and reached a critical stage. An odd-even scheme was also announced by the government to control pollution levels. However, following the 550th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the authorities postponed the plan for November 11 and November 12. 

READ | Kejriwal stresses dangers of stubble burning, as AQI worsens in Delhi