Delhi has been seeing hazardously bad pollution levels since the past few days, but on Tuesday, 7 November, the national capital woke up to a shockingly heavy cover of smog.
The pollution rose to dangerous levels, with 18 out of 21 active pollution monitoring stations recording "severe" air quality. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi at 3:00 pm was 446.
This is worse than a day-after Diwali – on 20 October – when the AQI was recorded at 403.
The smog, heavier than any fog the city faces during winter, reduced visibility to bare minimal, and affected people’s daily chores like commuting and exercising. Even Belgian’s King Philippe’s reception took place under dense pollution.
(With inputs from IANS)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)