New Delhi: Delhi recorded its worst air pollution level this season as the city’s overall Air Quality Index shot up to 499, a notch shy of the 500-mark in the ‘severe’ category, according to the Ministry of Earth Science’s air quality monitor, System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR). On Friday , the city’s 24-hour average AQI docked at 471, the worst one-day average AQI figure for this season so far.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Noida in Uttar Pradesh also recorded ‘severe’ air quality with the concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 particles standing at 772 and 523 respectively. Haryana’s Gurugram, too, witnessed ‘severe’ air pollution level.
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An AQI within the range of 0-5 is considered 'good', 51-100 is 'satisfactory', 101-200 is 'moderate', 201-300 is 'poor' and 301-400 is 'very poor' and 401-500 is considered 'severe'.
SAFAR has issued a strict health warning, asking everyone to avoid all physical activity outdoors. Do not rely on dust masks for protection. If you go out, wear masks known as N-95 or P-100 respirators. Meanwhile, the country's pollution board has advised concerned authorities to ensure "complete readiness" for emergency measures to handle the national capital's pollution situation, a report published by Mint stated.
SAFAR, in its bulletin, noted that the national capital air quality turned ‘severe’ “due to increase in stubble related fire counts and increase in transport level (925 MB) wind speed during the night.”
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