Delhi NCR's AQI Reaches Hazardous Levels: Check Pollution Figures and Safety Tips - Read Now
Delhi NCR is presently fighting extremely poor air quality as winter brings with it the familiar blanketing of the region under smog. The Air Quality Index across Delhi and the nearby cities such as Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad has begun touching alarming levels, which seriously brings health issues to people's minds. As the dwindling visibility and enviable level of air pollution touch well-nigh imperative marks, it becomes almost everybody's case- more particularly people, who face respiratory problems.
AQI Levels Reach Dangerous Heights in Delhi
On the morning of November 13, Delhi's AQI reached a concerning level of 361. It was classified as 'Very Poor' according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards. The inferences drawn from such an AQI are that there are quite a number of harmful particles, mostly PM2.5, in the air; it is very dangerous to breathe. Exposed people may have respiratory problem issues, and particularly patients with asthma or other types of breathing problems.
Worst Affected Areas in Delhi
The AQI in some areas of Delhi is critical than in others. The regions mentioned are included in the worst ones. In Delhi, the AQI in Anand Vihar dropped to shocking 399, which is almost 'Severe'. The other areas-Ashok Vihar and Punjabi Bagh-recorded AQIs of 382 and 376, respectively. This means concentration of the pollutants in those areas has reached an alarming level, further threatening the health of the residents directly.
Pollution Spreads Across NCR
While Delhi gets most of the attention, it was far from being the only city that found itself in a pollution crisis. Other NCR areas were also under stress with extremely poor air quality. In Noida, the AQI was recorded at 353 while Ghaziabad recorded an AQI at 339. Gurugram recorded an AQI at 344 which falls in the 'Very Poor' range. In comparison, Faridabad's AQI rested at 262, which, though lesser, is still in the 'Poor' category meaning the air is unhealthy.
Safety Precautions in case of Smog
When the AQI is high, people living in Delhi NCR have to be cautious. Here are some dos and don'ts, very crucial for limiting the exposure of each pollutant within permissible limits:
Stay indoors as much as possible: Fresh air coming from outdoors is a defiance to health. So the lesser out-door activities there will be the better.
Use Indoor Purifiers: Any indoor purifier removes pollutants from the atmosphere inside homes and offices.
Wear Masks: N95 or equivalent quality masks are recommended to be used when stepping out. These masks filter out most of the polluting agents.
Avoid Exercise Outdoors: This measure prevents pollution inhalation via harmful particles by exercising indoors.
Winter conditions may help it survive for the coming days also; hence, pollution levels in Delhi NCR would continue to remain high. The CPCB appeals to its citizens to be alert, keep themselves updated regarding the AQI and take sufficient precautions to ensure protection against the adverse impacts of air pollutants. Thus, with all measures being taken into consideration, the residents of Delhi NCR can limit their exposure time of noxious air pollutants and channelize health-related issues during this testing phase.
Such dangerous AQI levels have become more of a reminder of the urgent needs of the solutions to the recurring pollution crisis in Delhi NCR when it is revealed that millions of residents continue to face serious health risks because of their poor air quality.
