NEW DELHI: As winter draws near, the air quality in the nation’s capital has gotten worse for the fourth day in a row, with dangerously high pollution levels in important regions like Anand Vihar and Akshardham. On Saturday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in these regions jumped to 334, placing Delhi’s air quality in the “very poor” range.
Several areas of the city are covered in a thick layer of smog, which marks the beginning of a dangerous pollution phase that the city frequently experiences as winter draws near. The Center’s air pollution control panel has implemented the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), a series of emergency actions designed to reduce pollution, in response to the sharp deterioration in air quality over the last few days.
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Even though locals are already struggling with the increasing pollution levels, authorities caution that things will probably get worse over the next few days. The most recent data shows that Delhi’s AQI has above 300 in a number of locations, a level that denotes serious health hazards for the populace. The worst-hit areas are Anand Vihar and Akshardham, where readings of 334 indicate that the air quality has risen into the “very poor” category.
Seasonal elements including a drop in temperature and shifting wind patterns, which trap pollutants closer to the ground as winter draws near, are cited by scientists as contributing to rising pollution levels. The city’s poisonous air is also a result of industrial operations, vehicle pollution, and farm fires from nearby states.
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Measures like prohibiting the use of diesel generators, increasing the frequency of public transportation, and placing limitations on construction operations to reduce dust are all part of the GRAP implementation. But, given the ongoing decline in air quality, stricter measures might be required in the coming days.
Health advisories are currently in effect, advising locals to minimize their outside activities and wear protective masks when they do go outside, especially if they have pre-existing medical conditions.