Delhi pollution: Thick smog covers Delhi-NCR two days ahead of Diwali; pollution level crosses 20 times the safe limit

Pollution level has increased to an alarming level today in the national capital as the thick smog engulfed the Delhi-NCR region.

The Delhiites woke up to a blanket of thick smog ahead of the Diwali celebrations which will be under Supreme Court’s supervision and guidelines. The apex court had earlier ruled that crackers can be burnt only for two hours, in between 8 to 10pm.

The level of pollutants in the air reached a severe level of 644 PM2.5 or it was 20 times above the safe limit, as prescribed by the World Health Organization at South Delhi’s Okhla region.

An official of the SAFAR (System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research) said, “The AQI (air quality index) is predicted to be in the lower range of very poor today as the atmosphere is relatively clean.”

“If significant stubble burning continues on Sunday and Monday in the NW (north-west) region, then its impact is very likely over Delhi and AQI may reach the upper end of the very poor category,” said the Institute of Tropical Metrology, as reported by the NDTV.

A resident of Mayur Vihar told PTI that, “I have sent my children to play outside after weeks (on Sunday). I hope the air quality finally improves and we see a clean Diwali.”

The pollution level has crossed the dangerous mark and the health issues among the elderly, the asthma patients have been increasing in the last month. The Supreme Court has put restrictions on the sale of crackers and had said in the ruling that only green crackers will be used and licensed vendors can sell the crackers.

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