New Delhi: Authorities in Delhi announced stricter pollution control measures after the air quality index (AQI) in the national capital plunged to ‘severe-plus’ today with a thick layer of smoke and fog having enveloped the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR).
Flight operations and train services affected from decreasing visibility due to smog with the visibility at Palam dropping to 150 metres at 5 am, according to NDTV.
The AQI in Delhi was recorded the worst so far this season at 481 at 7 am as per the real-time data provided by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR).
Officials attributed this situation to "unfavourable" meteorological conditions in the national capital region.
To know the gravity of the situation better, here is varying levels of AQI beginning with the level between 0 and 50, which is considered good and the level between 51 and 100 is satisfactory.
When it is between 101 and 200, the situation is moderate while 201 and 300 is poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe, and above 450 severe-plus.
In view of the worsening air pollution, the air quality panel of the Centre imposed stricter pollution control measures for the region from 8 am under under Stage 4 of the anti-pollution plan Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
Meanwhile, the preventive actions invoked under Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 of GRAP are already in force in the region.
The Centre’s panel the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) asked people especially children and senior citizens alongside those suffering from conditions such as respiratory, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular or other chronic diseases to stay indoors.
Meanwhile, public and private offices in the region are asked to work at 50 per cent capacity while work-from-home option is also in place for central government employees.
It is reported that nearly 38% of the pollution in the national capital stemmed this year from farm fires in the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana.