New Delhi: Air pollution in the national capital worsened sharply on Saturday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) in several areas crossing the 400 mark, prompting the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to impose restrictions under Phase IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV).
A thick layer of smog engulfed Delhi, pushing the AQI to 431, the worst level recorded this season. Earlier, on November 11, the city had reported an AQI of 428. Among other cities in the Delhi-NCR region, Noida recorded an AQI of 455, while Greater Noida stood at 442.
According to weather data, Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of 25.5 degrees Celsius on Saturday, around 2.5 degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 8 degrees Celsius, about 0.6 degrees below normal.
“Keeping in view the air quality and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, CAQM and the GRAP Sub-Committee have imposed necessary restrictions in Delhi and adjoining areas under the Graded Response Action Plan-IV,” the Commission said.
The sustained rise in pollution levels over the past several days has also led to an increase in respiratory ailments among residents, adding to health concerns across the capital and surrounding regions.
