Delhi starts water spraying at pollution hotspots as air quality deteriorates

New Delhi: Delhi is grappling with hazardous air quality for the sixth consecutive day, pushing pollution levels into the 'severe plus category.'

In response to this escalating problem, the Delhi Fire Services has partnered with the Delhi government to deploy water-spraying operations at identified pollution hotspots.

Atul Garg, the Director of Delhi Fire Services, said, "A total of 12 fire engines have been pressed into service to curb pollution. These fire tenders have already started sprinkling water at different locations which have been identified as hotspots."

Garg expressed hope that this water-spraying initiative could offer some relief to the city's residents.

Delhi has been enveloped in a toxic haze due to poor wind conditions, particularly calm winds during the night, leading to a surge in pollution levels, reaching the 'severe plus category.'

The air quality index (AQI) deteriorated from 415 at 4 pm on Saturday to 460 at 7 am on Sunday, later recorded at 461 at 11 am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Given the high levels of pollution, Delhi's Education Minister, Atishi, announced that primary schools in the city would remain closed until November 10.

In a social media post, Atishi explained, "As pollution levels continue to remain high, primary schools in Delhi will stay closed till November 10. For Grades 6-12, schools are being given the option of shifting to online classes."

Earlier, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had declared that all government and private primary schools in Delhi would remain closed on November 3 and November 4 due to the escalating pollution levels.

According to the government's air pollution control plan, when the AQI crosses the 450 mark, all emergency measures must be activated and enforced in the National Capital Region. These measures include a ban on polluting trucks, commercial four-wheelers, and all types of construction activities.

The AQI scale classifies air quality as 'good' (0-50), 'satisfactory' (51-100), 'moderate' (101-200), 'poor' (201-300), 'very poor' (301-400), and 'severe' (401-450). An AQI exceeding 450 falls into the 'severe plus' category.