Air Quality Index in Delhi ‘Very Poor’ Even in Summers

Delhiites react to this level of air pollution and advise wearing pollution masks outside.
Aditi Parida
India
Published:
Traffic police wear masks to protect themselves from the air pollution.
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(Photo: PTI)
Traffic police wear masks to protect themselves from the air pollution.
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Air pollution and Delhi go hand in hand, unfortunately. The air pollutants in the atmosphere on Monday, 13 May were dangerously high.

According to data provided by the National Air Quality Index website, the air quality indexes of several pockets of Delhi remained in the poor-not poor bracket.

Anand Vihar region recorded an AQI (air quality index) of 386 which is very poor. Meanwhile, the area in and around the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium had an AQI of 323.

AQI in Anand Vihar, Delhi.
AQI in Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi.
AQI in Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi.

The various pollutants like ozone, sulphur dioxide, carbon monoxide, etc are also at dangerous levels. The status of ‘very poor’ refers to ‘respiratory illness on prolonged exposure’ as per the website.

Delhiites React on Twitter

Not new to depleting levels of air quality, people of Delhi took to Twitter to share their thoughts.

Air masks are a common sight in winters here, especially with the smog. One user tweeted about how wearing masks and nasal filters “even in summers” is crucial as the air pollution is “still off the charts.”

Attributing the levels of pollutants in the air to fields being burnt, another user tweeted “welcome to a smoky summer.”

In an amusing contrast with politics, a user tweeted that the “quality of air pollution in east Delhi is still lower than level of politics.”

A Twitter account called the New Delhi Nature Society, tweeted that the pollution could be because of an energy plant that was not closed down.

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Rains Likely in Delhi

With the air pollution still rampant in Delhi, any good news about the weather is delightful. PTI reported that Delhiites are likely to get some relief from the scorching heat on Monday, 13 May 2019, as the weatherperson has forecast light rains.

The Safdarjung observatory said the minimum temperature would be around 25 degrees Celsius, while the maximum could touch 39 degrees Celsius.

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