New Delhi was shrouded in a thick layer of toxic haze as air quality continued to remain in the “severe category”. According to data from the Swiss group IQAir, the Indian capital, along with Kolkata and Mumbai, is among the most polluted cities today.
New Delhi again topped the real-time list at 7:30 am today with an AQI of 483, followed by Lahore at 371. Kolkata and Mumbai were also among the top 5 cities affected by air pollution with an AQI of 206 and 162, respectively. According to experts and doctors, the recommended AQI value for any healthy person should be less than 50.
Officials say a seasonal combination of cold temperatures, lack of wind and stubble burning in neighboring states has caused a spike in air pollutants.
Many of New Delhi’s 20 million residents complained of eye irritation and itchy throats as the air turned a thick gray as the AQI hovered above 550 at some monitoring stations.
An AQI of 0-50 is considered good, while anything between 400-500 affects healthy people and is dangerous for those with pre-existing conditions.
“During my last 24 hours on duty, I saw babies coughing, children coming in with anxiety and rapid breathing,” Ahmed Khan, a doctor in Delhi, said on social media.
The concentration of fine particulate matter, known as PM2.5, was 523 mg per cubic meter, 104.6 times higher than World Health Organization guidelines. Long-term exposure to these particles, which are about 30 times thinner than a human hair and can enter the bloodstream through the lungs, has been linked to chronic heart and respiratory problems.
A crisis plan has already been activated in the capital, which includes stopping construction work, encouraging the use of public transport and working from home if possible.
India is hosting the Cricket World Cup, and organizers have banned fireworks at matches in Mumbai and Delhi to prevent dangerous air pollution levels from rising.
Bangladesh were due to play Sri Lanka in Delhi on Monday, but the haze has canceled a scheduled training session on Friday, with little chance of the air clearing for their match.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the AQI at several places in Delhi has crossed the danger mark of ‘400’ on a scale of 500 for the seventh consecutive day. According to the System for Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the AQI level in Delhi is at 346, with PM 2.5 and PM 10 being the prominent pollutants.
