Delhi's air pollution set to enter 'Emergency' zone with AQI touching 500

New Delhi : With decreasing wind speed and a break on odd-even scheme during Guru Nanak Jayanti, the air pollution drew a steep rise with AQI touching 500-mark at several places in the national capital. The situation is likely to worsen as it may enter the 'Emergency' zone today.

On Tuesday, a minimum temperature of 11.7-degree Celsius was recorded. The AQI reading in Greater Noida, Faridabad, Noida hovered in the ‘severe’ zone even at 6 am.

At 6AM, Greater Noida recorded pollutants at 458 (Severe)

Faridabad recorded AQI at 441 (Severe)

Noida recorded AQI at 472 (Severe)

Delhi recorded AQI at 447 (Severe)

At Lodhi road area the AQI was at 500

According to the Central Pollution Control Bureau (CPCB), Delhi’s overall air quality index (AQI) read 425 at 4 pm and 437 at 9 pm on Tuesday. It was 360 at 4 pm on Monday.

The rise in air pollution coincides with no odd-even scheme and celebrations of Guru Nanak Jayanti. From Wednesday, Odd-Even will return to the national capital. According to SAFAR, the share of stubble burning accounted for 25 per cent of Delhi’s pollution on Tuesday, up from 18 per cent on Monday.

“No sudden recovery is expected at least for the next two days and the AQI is likely to deteriorate further towards severe-plus category by tomorrow. The condition may slightly improve by November 15,” it said in a report.