Delhi NCR pollution level today: Air quality in Delhi stood in the ‘severe’ category on Saturday, with SAFAR recording an overall AQI of 499.

• The concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 particles stood at 541 and 349 respectively.

• At 6 in the morning, the concentration of PM2.5 particles in Pusa, Ayanagar and Delhi University area was 476, 495 and 578 respectively.

New Delhi:

Delhi recorded this season’s worst air pollution level on Saturday morning, as the city’s overall Air Quality Index shot up to 499, a notch shy of the 500-mark, in the ‘severe’ category, according to the Ministry of Earth Science’s air quality monitor, System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).  On Friday, the city’s 24-hour average AQI docked at 471, the worst one-day average AQI figure for this season so far.

At 6 am today, the concentrations of the particulate matter (PM) with a diameter of 10 and 2.5 microns clocked at 541 and 349 respectively, both falling in the ‘severe’ category, according to the Centre-run pollution monitoring system.

Air quality in parts of Delhi and neighbouring cities

PM2.5 particles, known for causing lung damage, remained the dominant pollution in several areas of Delhi. The concentration of PM2.5 particles stood at 578 in Delhi University (North Campus) area, 485 in Pusa, 476 in Lodhi Road, 557 in Mathura Road, 479 in IIT Delhi, 485 in Indira Gandhi International Airport (Terminal 3) and 495 in Ayanagar, according to SAFAR.  

Meanwhile, neighbouring Noida in Uttar Pradesh also recorded ‘severe’ air quality with the concentrations of PM10 and PM2.5 particles standing at 772 and 523 respectively. Haryana’s Gurugram, too, witnessed ‘severe’ air pollution level.

An AQI within the range of 0-5 is considered ‘good’, 51-100 is ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 is ‘moderate’, 201-300 is ‘poor’ and 301-400 is ‘very poor’ and 401-500 is considered ‘severe’.

‘Emergency’ measures

SAFAR has issued a strict health warning, asking everyone to avoid all physical activity outdoors. Do not rely on dust masks for protection. If you go out, wear masks known as N-95 or P-100 respirators. Meanwhile, the country’s pollution board has advised concerned authorities to ensure “complete readiness” for emergency measures to handle the national capital’s pollution situation, a report published by Mint stated.

SAFAR, in its bulletin, noted that the national capital air quality turned ‘severe’ “due to increase in stubble related fire counts and increase in transport level (925 MB) wind speed during the night.” A total of  4,056 farm fires, accounting for 35 per cent of the city’s pollution on Friday, played a major role in pushing the 24-hour average AQI to 471 by 4 pm, as per SAFAR.