With the arrival of colder days in the national capital, Delhi’s air quality has once again dropped to alarming levels. On Friday, Delhi’s air quality index was recorded at 591, according to private air quality monitor and forecaster AQI.in. However, the Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) pegged the AQI at a much lower level, at 310. Thick smog covered the horizon, leaving buildings and roads barely visible from a distance.
The straw burning continues
The deterioration of air quality coincides with a A sharp increase in burning tree remains in neighboring states. At least 351 cases of stubble burning were recorded in Punjab on Thursday – the second highest daily number in the pre-winter season, raising the AQI index to the “very bad” category. The highest percentage was recorded on November 1, when Punjab witnessed 442 such incidents.
Other states also contributed to the pollution load, with 35 accidents in Haryana, 83 accidents in Rajasthan, 354 accidents in Madhya Pradesh, and no accident in Delhi.
October is among the worst in recent years
In October, Delhi recorded an average air quality index (AQI) of 223, the second worst October in five years. Nearly two-thirds of the month was spent breathing “poor” air or worse — 11 days in the “poor” category, seven days in the “very poor” category, and none in the “good” category.
According to AQI.in, breathing the air in this location is as harmful as smoking 10.2 cigarettes per day. This estimate is based on the average PM2.5 concentration over the past 24 hours, assuming continuous exposure during that period.
The concentration of PM2.5 was measured on Monday at 360 micrograms/m3, far exceeding the World Health Organization limit of 15 micrograms/m3. The current PM2.5 level in New Delhi is 24 times higher than the recommended guideline. According to the World Health Organization, “Exposure to PM2.5 can cause diseases affecting both the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, including stroke, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).”
Among the most polluted areas were Ghazipur (812), IP Extension (700), Maharam Mohalla (710), Mayur Vihar 1 station (802), New Ashok Nagar (760) and South Sainik Farm (740) – all recording dangerous levels of pollution.
Story continues below this ad
Weather and health warnings
The temperature in Delhi on Friday was 19 degrees Celsius and the humidity was 18 per cent.
Experts advised residents to avoid exercising outdoors or moving around during peak pollution hours, use N95 masks when outside, and turn on air purifiers indoors to reduce exposure to fine particles.
(Tags for translation) Air pollution in Delhi
