Delhi Pollution: Air Quality Improves After 24 Days of Choking
New Delhi, India - After a 24-day stretch of hazardous air quality, the national capital of India has finally seen some respite. On Sunday, the air quality index (AQI) entered the poor range, a significant improvement from the severe category it had been stuck in for weeks.
The improvement in air quality comes as a welcome relief to the residents of Delhi, who have been grappling with choking pollution levels for over a month. The AQI, which measures the level of pollutants in the air, had been consistently above 300, categorizing the air quality as 'severe' or 'hazardous'. However, on Sunday, the AQI dropped to 249, classifying it as 'poor'.
While the improvement is a positive sign, experts caution that the air quality still remains a cause for concern. "While the AQI has improved, it's still not safe for people with respiratory issues or children," said Dr. Randeep Guleria, Director of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). "We need to take sustained efforts to reduce pollution levels in the city."
Delhi has been battling severe air pollution for several weeks, with pollution levels peaking in November. The city has recorded its coldest November in five years, with temperatures dipping to as low as 5 degrees Celsius. The cold weather has exacerbated the pollution problem, as smoke from crop burning in neighboring states and industrial activities has combined with the city's existing pollution to create a toxic mix.
The Delhi government has launched a series of initiatives to combat pollution, including a ban on construction activities, increased monitoring of pollution levels, and a drive to promote the use of electric vehicles. While these efforts are laudable, experts say more needs to be done to address the root causes of pollution in the city.
