Sun Nov 03 04:27:28 UTC 2024: ## Delhi Suffers Under Smog Blanket, AQI Remains ‘Very Poor’
**New Delhi, India** – A thick layer of smog blanketed the national capital on Sunday, raising serious health concerns for residents as the Air Quality Index (AQI) continued to hover in the “very poor” category.
Most areas in Delhi recorded an AQI over 350, with some even reaching “severe” levels. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the city’s overall AQI stood at 364 at 7 AM on Sunday.
Locations like New Moti Bagh (352), RK Puram (380), Vivek Vihar (388), Dwarka Sector 8 (385), and Lodhi Road (330) all registered “very poor” air quality, posing significant health risks. The situation was even worse in Nehru Nagar and Anand Vihar, where the AQI reached 431 and 427, respectively, placing them in the “severe” category.
“It is very difficult to breathe,” said Aditya, a Delhi resident. “This is not a time we can go out and do exercise; pollution is affecting our eyes.”
In response to the worsening situation, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced the deployment of 200 mobile anti-smog guns across the city to combat dust pollution. “Whether it is dust pollution, vehicle pollution or biomass burning, our teams are continuously working on targeting these three on the ground,” Rai said.
The move comes as the Delhi government intensifies its efforts to tackle rising pollution levels. According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), Delhi’s AQI stood at 296 at 7 AM on Saturday.
The smog isn’t limited to Delhi, however. Mumbai also experienced a thick layer of smog near Marine Drive, with an AQI of 208, classified as “poor”.
The poor air quality is a cause for alarm, as prolonged exposure to polluted air can lead to serious health issues, especially for vulnerable groups such as children, elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory conditions.
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