Vehicles ply amid low visibility due to a thick layer of smog, a day after Diwali celebrations in New Delhi on Friday, November 5
Following the Diwali celebrations across the national capital (Delhi), the air quality deteriorated to 'very poor' category. The air quality index (AQI) crossed the 600-mark at several places across the national capital with a few places in east Delhi, Ghaziabad and Noida crossing the 800-mark on Friday morning, hours after the people burst firecrackers on Diwali night making the Delhi-NCR air hazardous.
RK Jenamani, IMD Delhi said, "Overall air quality in 'severe' category today after bursting for firecrackers on Diwali &presence of bio-mass pollutants in Delhi. The air quality& fog condition to improve once windspeed picks up. No wind & high moisture is causing fog conditions."
Extremely poor pollution levels were previously predicted in Delhi due to firecracker emissions, unfavourable weather and a significant spike in stubble burning in neighbouring states. According to the latest update by System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR), the air quality in several areas in Delhi was recorded in the "very poor" category with AQI ranging around 400. The air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) of Gurugram also recorded very poor category with AQI of 389.
SAFAR said "very calm" local Delhi wind conditions with little ventilation is expected for the next three days which will be unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants.. Delhi's PM2.5 concentration is predicted to be in the upper end of the 'very poor' category till November 6.
- With IANS inputs
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