New Delhi: The air quality in the national capital remained in the ‘severe’ category for the third consecutive day on Friday even as light rains continued to lash the city in the morning following a night of heavy showers that led to a marginal dip in the temperature of the region.
At 8:30 in the morning, the overall Air Quality Index of Delhi was docking at 418 with PM10 at 408 and PM2.5 at 268. The light rains in the region also caused a traffic jam at major junctions of the city causing a problem for people to reach their respective places.
An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 moderate, 201-300 poor, 301-400 very poor and 401-500 is marked as severe/hazardous.
At Dhirpur, the AQI was 456 at 9:30 am, while in Mathura Road it was 404.
The AQI near Chandni Chowk, Airport Terminal 3 and Delhi University stood at 448, 398 and 504 respectively.
SAFAR has advised ‘Sensitive Groups’ to reduce prolonged or heavy exertion. People are advised to take more breaks and do less intense activities. The asthmatics have been advised to keep medicines ready if symptoms of coughing or shortness of breath occur.
“Heart patients, see the doctor, if get palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual fatigue,” it stated in its advisory.
Apart from Delhi, in other metropolitan, the air quality is slightly better with Pune at 015 Mumbai with AQI 162 and Ahemdabad 242.