Delhi’s air quality is the worst in the country, this district of Bihar is named at second place.

Delhi AQI Update: Delhi recorded the country’s worst air quality on Wednesday (November 13) and it reached ‘severe’ category for the first time this season. AQI 418 was recorded in the capital. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, Hajipur in Bihar recorded an air quality index (AQI) of 417 and was the second worst polluted place in the country.

According to CPCB, air quality was in ‘severe’ category in 30 out of 36 monitoring stations in Delhi. The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) of the national capital was 334 on Tuesday. It is recorded daily at 4 pm.

AQI between 0 to 50 is ‘good’, 51 to 100 is ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 is ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 is ‘poor’, 301 to 400 is ‘very poor’, 401-450 is ‘poor’. If it is between ‘severe’ and more than 450, it is considered in ‘very serious’ category.

AQI was recorded at 409 on January 26.
According to CPCB data, the city’s AQI remained in the ‘severe’ category for three days in January. This year, AQI was recorded at 447 on January 14, while it was recorded at 409 on January 24 and 26. CPCB said that AQI reaching ‘severe’ category affects healthy people and has a serious impact on people already suffering from medical problems. The air quality in the national capital had reached ‘very poor’ category on October 30.

It contributes the most to Delhi’s pollution.
According to the Centre’s ‘Decision Support System’ for Air Quality Management, vehicular emissions are the largest contributor to Delhi’s pollution, with an estimated share of about 13.3 per cent. Other major pollutants are PM 2.5 and PM 10. However, the air quality in Chandigarh remains in the ‘very poor’ category. According to the ‘Sameer’ app of the Central Pollution Control Board, AQI 372 was recorded at 4 pm on Wednesday in the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana.

With the increase in pollution levels, the task force formed under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Chandigarh has suggested measures like sprinkling of water or washing of roads at night, use of ‘anti-smog guns’, sweeping of leaves to improve air quality. And measures have been taken like banning open burning of garbage and monitoring traffic movement.

Also read: Blanket-quilted winter knocks in Delhi! 13 November is the coldest day of the season, dense fog.