Nation

Delhi AQI spikes in Chhath Puja season to ‘severe’ across 16 stations

This is even as Punjab reports reduced stubble burning and anti-smog guns (and now drones) have been deployed to mist the air and spray down particulates

Anti-smog gun near India Gate works in very poor visibility from severe smog (photo: Vipin/NH)
Anti-smog gun near India Gate works in very poor visibility from severe smog (photo: Vipin/NH) Vipin/NH

Pollution levels in the national capital saw a spike during Chhath Puja on Thursday evening with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 382 at 6 pm, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.

Sixteen weather stations recorded an AQI above 400 with seven more stations seeing the air quality deteriorate to a "severe" level by evening.

These include Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Mundka, Jahangirpuri, Wazirpur, Okhla Phase 2, Punjabi Bagh, Rohini, Sonia Vihar, and Patparganj, among others.

The city's AQI in the morning was 367 while the 24-hour average AQI at 4 pm was recorded at 377.

A layer of smog was seen blanketing many areas in the city. Mist or smog is expected to cover the city at night, according to an IMD forecast.

The maximum temperature settled at 31.7 degrees Celsius, two notches above normal, while the humidity level was at 74 per cent at 5:30 pm.

Shallow fog is expected to cover Delhi on Friday, with the weather likely to remain warmer.

According to AQI classifications, a range of 0-50 is considered "good," 51-100 "satisfactory," 101-200 "moderate," 201-300 "poor," 301-400 "very poor," and 401-500 "severe."

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