NEW DELHI, November 3: As the air quality in various parts of Delhi-NCR deteriorated to the ‘severe’ category on Friday morning, residents reported experiencing breathing difficulties and eye irritation, among other problems. A thick haze enveloped the sky above the national capital and its surrounding areas as the Air Quality Index (AQI) exceeded 400 at multiple locations.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI reached 498 in Mundka and 491 in Jahangirpuri. In the RK Puram area and at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (T3), the AQI was recorded at 486 and 473, respectively. Furthermore, several locations in Noida also witnessed ‘severe’ air quality, with Sector 62, Sector 1, and Sector 116 recording AQI values of 483, 413, and 415, respectively.
Residents expressed their concerns about the dense smog, noting that they were experiencing throat irritation and breathing difficulties. They emphasized the urgent need for action to address the deteriorating air quality, especially for individuals who are already ill. Some even raised concerns about sending their children to school in such conditions.
Health experts recommended taking precautions, such as wearing masks and avoiding unnecessary outdoor activities. Dr. Dhiren Gupta, a senior pediatrician at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, warned that air pollution would affect the pediatric age group more than adults. He explained that exposure to pollution during pregnancy could lead to allergies in newborns and impact their lives, as lung remodeling occurs during infancy.
Dr. Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant in Respiratory Critical Care at Apollo Hospital, also advised taking precautions and using masks, as breathing problems, coughs, colds, eye irritation, and other issues were becoming more common due to the worsening air quality.
In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Delhi government ordered the closure of all government and private primary schools for the next two days. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked the third stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) when the AQI reached the ‘Severe’ range of 401-450. As part of the response, restrictions on certain vehicles and the suspension of physical classes for primary grade children up to Class 5 may be imposed in certain areas. The Delhi government has already suspended primary school classes.
