A Supreme Court-mandated panel on Friday declared a public health emergency in Delhi-NCR region as air quality fell to “severe-plus” or emergency category for the first time this year. Schools and construction activity have been shut down till November 5.
All 37 air quality monitoring stations across Delhi recorded air quality levels in the severe category on Friday morning. The most polluted place was Bawana with an AQI of 497, followed by Delhi Technological University (487), Wazirpur (485), Anand Vihar (484) and Vivek Vihar (482).
The air pollution will have adverse health impact on all, particularly children, Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) stated.
The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 1 pm on Friday was recorded at 480, which falls in the “severe” category.
AQI between 0-50 is considered ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’ and 401-500 ‘severe’. Above 500 falls in the ‘severe-plus emergency’ category.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal blamed neighbouring states, particularly crop burning, for turning Delhi into a gas chamber. Over 50 lakh masks have been distributed to school children and residents have been urged to use them.
“Delhi has turned into a gas chamber due to smoke from crop burning in neighbouring states. It is very important that we protect ourselves from this toxic air. We have started distributing 50 lakh masks today through private and government schools. I urge all Delhiites to use them whenever needed,” Kejriwal tweeted.
Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is one of the main causes of pollution in Delhi, Kejriwal said. “Please write letters to Captain uncle and Khattar uncle and say, ‘Please think about our health’,” he told children.
Emergency measures such as odd-even car rationing scheme, banning entry of trucks, construction activity and shutting down schools are taken under the Graded Response Action Plan if the air quality stays in this severe plus category for the next 48 hours.
Photograph: Kaushik Garabadu
Meanwhile, air pollution levels in Bhubaneswar is ranging from good to satisfactory at most places according to AQI display boards set up across the city. The AQI level on Tuesday evening was recorded to be 95 at Rama Devi square.
Experts recommend wearing masks and using air purifiers in Delhi. Here’s how you can:
How To Protect Yourself From Toxic Air
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