The AQI, as recorded by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPBC), at Anand Vihar was 365, which is a marker of 'very poor' air.
After lasting only for a day, Delhi's improved air quality deteriorated sharply on Saturday with the Air Quality Index (AQI) breaching the poor mark as states of Haryana and Punjab continued with stubble burning.
The AQI, as recorded by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPBC), at Anand Vihar was 365, which is a marker of 'very poor' air. This kind of air can cause respiratory illnesses on prolonged exposure.
Touching the 500 mark, ultra fine particulate PM 10 was the primary pollutant in reminiscence of the Great Smog of 2016 when it crossed the 400 mark. In the data recorded by the CPCB, PM 2.5 also touched the 500 mark.
The annual prescribed standards of PM 2.5 and PM 10 are 40 and 60 micrograms per cubic metre (ug/m3) in India. The corresponding 24-hour standards are 60 and 100 respectively.
Farmers in Haryana and Punjab are buring paddy straw, paving way for sowing of rabi crops. Cities like Karnal, Kurukshetra, Amritsar, Ambala, Sirsa, and Hisar have been witnessing farm fires despite governments imposing a ban on them. Pollution level in Delhi and its National Capital Region (NCR) shoots drastically in October-November due to stubble burning as smoke travels towards this region, making the air extremely toxic and hazardous.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has alleged inaction on part of central and state governments of Haryana and Punjab regarding stubble burning. "We have been pursuing with Central Haryana and Punjab governments, yet no concrete action has been taken. Farmers are again helpless. The entire region, including Delhi, will again become a gas chamber. People will again face difficulty in breathing. This is criminal," he said.
AQI In Different Areas Of Delhi On Saturday
Bawana 258 (poor)
Ashok Vihar 288 (poor)
Dwarka, Sector 8-303 (very poor)
ITO 271(poor)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Delhi pollution")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}