India's Pollution Board Says Prepare For Emergency As Delhi Air Quality Descends To Season's Worst
Updated: November 12, 2021 20:05 IST
Over 4,000 farm fires, which accounted for 35 per cent of Delhi's pollution on Friday, played a major role in pushing the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) to 471 by 4 pm, the worst this season so far. It was 411 on Thursday.
A thick haze of toxic smog hung over Delhi today, exacerbated by a spike in the burning of crop waste in surrounding farmlands.
The Delhi smog reduced visibility and the Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 470 on a scale of 500.
India's Pollution Control Board said the government and private offices should reduce the use of private transport by 30% and advised the city's residents to limit outdoor exposure.
The concentration of poisonous PM2.5 particulate matter averaged 329 micrograms per cubic meter of air.
According to an analysis by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee, people in the national capital breathe the worst air between November 1 and November 15 every year.
The city has recorded severe air quality on six of the last eight days following Diwali.
