Air quality remains ‘severe’ in Delhi, says IMD
NEW DELHI: The pollution level at several places in the national capital remained in the “severe” category even as the air quality in few areas improved from “very poor” to “poor” on Sunday.
Ater moderate fog early in the morning, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the sky will remain clear for the remaining day.
At 10am, the pollution level was seen in the “very poor” and “poor” category in many places of Delhi in comparison to the previous few days, indicating a slight decline.
The maximum temperature is expected to be 26°C, while the minimum temperature is pegged at 10°C, the IMD said.
The AQI at Anand Vihar was 414, Ashok Vihar 344, Chandani Chowk 346, Dwarka 338, Mandir Marg 308, IGI Airport 317, Lodhi Road 289 and North Campus 334, according to Central pollution Control Board (CPCB).
An AQI between zero and 50 is considered “good”; 51-100 “satisfactory;” 101-200 “moderate;” 201-300 “poor;” 301-400 “very poor;” and 401-500 “severe.”
Delhi’s Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital has seen a growth of 8 to 10 per cent in patients suffering with respiratory problems due to pollution ater Diwali, its Medical Director Dr Suresh Kumar said on Sunday.
Dr Kumar said that they everyday have 10-12 patients visiting the hospital with breathing problems.
“Air pollution has become a major issues post Diwali. Elderly people and chlidren are the main victim of the pollution,” he said, adding that longterm exposure to chronically high PM 2.5 levels weakens the lungs’ ability to function.
About the pollution caused respiratory and other problems, Dr Kumar said that they have capacity for 120 patients but due to the outbreak in pollution-related diseases post Diwali, they are get inga round 140 patients everyday in the hospital.
He said the emergency and OPD wards are geting average 140 patients in total, with all types of problems, but most of them are suffering with respiratory and dipping levels of oxygen.
It also includes the rising number of asthma cases in children.
Meanwhile, the ha ryan a government on sunday ordered closure of all schools -- private and government -- in four districts, Gurugram, Faridabad, Jhajjar and Sonipat, till Nov.17.
According to the order, both government and private offices have been advised to work from home.
Besides, there is a complete ban on operation of stone crushers and hot mix plants used in construction activities. The Deputy Commissioner of the concerned districts has been directed to constitute joint inspections teams for enforcing the directions and ensuring extensive checking, monitoring and action against the violators.