The pollution in the national capital has hiked by 11 times in the past thirty days. The PM-10 which stood at 34.7 on September 25 stood ar 369.9 on Wednesday.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the amount of pollutants in the air witnessed a steady hike from Wednesday morning. The PM-10 levels reached 369.9 in the afernoon. On the other hand, the PM-2.5 level reached 168 on Wednesday.
With the increasing level of pollution in the national capital, the number of patients in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) have increased rapidly. According to reports, the number of patients undergoing treatment in the pulmonary department of the AIIMS have hiked by 80 per cent.
The doctors said that the situation is most likely to worsen after the Diwali season. They have also advised people to wear masks to shield themselves from rising pollution.
Late last year, Delhi and a large part of north India were covered in a toxic smog from burning crop waste and the countless firecrackers let off for Diwali, forcing authorities to shut power stations, ban construction and clamp down on garbage burning.
Despite pressure from health experts, the government this year held off on a wholesale ban on fireworks and has faced criticism for failing to prevent farmers in states neighbouring Delhi from burning stubble.
To curb pollution levels around Diwali, the Supreme Court on Tuesday only allowed the use of "less-polluting" firecrackers, but it was unclear how the rule will be enforced or whether there was such a thing as an environmentally safe firework.
Despite a government plan to discourage the burning of crop residue by offering to pay up to 80 percent of the cost of certain farm equipment, many farmers are still burning their waste.
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