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The air quality in Delhi has deteriorated, reaching a 'poor' level with an AQI of 272 as of 10 am on Saturday. A layer of smog has descended upon the city, indicating a concerning rise in pollutants. This worsening situation has led to the implementation of the first stage of emergency response measures (GRAP Stage-1) on Tuesday.
While Delhi grapples with poor air quality, several other major cities in India have fared better. Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, and Ahmedabad all reported 'satisfactory' AQI levels, indicating relatively cleaner air. Hyderabad, with an AQI of 33, enjoys 'good' air quality.
However, the pollution extends beyond Delhi. Cities in neighboring states like Haryana and Punjab are also experiencing poor air quality. Ambala, Faridabad, Gurgaon, Hisar, Panipat, and Sonipat in Haryana have seen their AQI surpass 200, placing them in the 'poor' category. Major cities in Punjab have also fallen into the 'poor' category, indicating a widespread air pollution problem.
Delhi's air quality typically deteriorates during October as the monsoon winds recede, replaced by northwesterlies. This shift, coupled with the drop in temperature and farm fires in neighboring states, leads to an accumulation of pollutants in the city's air. This phenomenon is a recurring issue every year, highlighting the urgent need for long-term solutions to combat air pollution.
Source: ‘Poor’ in Delhi, ‘Satisfactory’ in Mumbai: Where do AQI levels of major cities in India stand at?