Delhi air quality worsens again, six of 39 monitoring stations breach ‘severe’ mark

The Air Quality Index in Delhi deteriorated again on Wednesday, with six of the 39 monitoring stations recording readings above 400, which is categorised as “severe”, as per the Sameer application at 10.05 am.

The national capital’s average AQI stood at 368, the application, which provides hourly updates published by the Central Pollution Control Board, showed.

A day earlier, the overall AQI had hit 372, rising from 304 on Monday and 279 on Sunday.

An index value between 0 and 50 indicates “good” air quality, between 51 and 100 indicates “satisfactory” air quality and between 101 and 200 indicates “moderate” air quality. As the index value increases further, air quality deteriorates. A value of 201 and 300 means “poor” air quality, while between 301 and 400 indicates “very poor” air.

Between 401 and 450 indicates “severe” air pollution, while anything above the 450 threshold is termed “severe plus”.

An AQI in the “severe” category signifies hazardous pollution levels that can pose serious risks even to healthy individuals.

In areas adjoining the national capital, Noida recorded an AQI of 386, followed by Ghaziabad with a 356 reading. Greater Noida reported an index of 343.

Delhi has been recording air quality in the “poor” or worse categories since mid-October, leading to Stage 3 restrictions under the Graded Response Action...

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