New Delhi: On Thursday, Delhi’s air quality stayed in the “severe” category for a second day. The national capital was covered in a thick layer of fog due to low wind speeds. The third phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP 3) would not be implemented at this time, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said.
For the first time this season, Delhi’s AQI has surpassed 400 for the past two days. Many people wonder why the AQI, which had been in the “poor” or “very poor” category since October 14, all of a sudden moved into the “severe” category. According to meteorologists, Delhi’s temperature has dropped as a result of snowfall in the Himalayas. Because of this.
At nine in the morning, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was 428, falling into the “severe” category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). 32 of Delhi’s 39 monitoring stations—including Anand Vihar, IGI Airport, Mandir Marg, and Patparganj—recorded AQI readings higher than 400. With a 24-hour AQI of 418 on Wednesday, up from 334 the day before, Delhi has the worst air quality reading of the season and the highest in the nation.
“Grap 3 is not being enforced in Delhi because there is a chance that the pollution level would improve starting tomorrow. In order to avoid implementing Grap 3, we are once more directing that the regulations established under Grap 2 be adhered to on the ground. “The Delhi government will take all necessary measures and will collaborate with the Delhi residents if the pollution falls into the’severe’ category once more,” Mr. Rai stated.