New Delhi, Nov 6: Delhi recorded air pollution levels seven to eight times above safe standards on Monday with the city government announcing the return of its flagship odd-even scheme after four years anticipating further deterioration of air quality post-Diwali.
To protect the health of schoolchildren, the government also decided to suspend in-person classes in all schools, except for students in grades X and XII preparing for board exams, until November 10.
The city’s 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm daily, stood at 421 on Monday, a marginal improvement from 454 on Sunday, even as a toxic haze persisted over the city for the seventh consecutive day.
Several cities in neighbouring Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh have also reported hazardous air quality. Neighbouring Ghaziabad (391), Gurugram (373), Noida (384), Greater Noida (420), and Faridabad (412) also reported hazardous air quality.
The concentration of PM2.5, fine particulate matter capable of penetrating deep into the respiratory system and triggering health problems, exceeded the government-prescribed safe limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre by seven to eight times at multiple locations throughout Delhi-NCR.
It was 30 to 40 times the healthy limit of 15 micrograms per cubic metre set by the WHO. According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi-NCR, the region is likely to experience severe air quality for another five to six days. (PTI)
