Delhi AQI in 'severe' category, schools shut till November 10
What's the story
Delhi Education Minister Atishi on Sunday announced primary schools in the national capital will remain closed until Friday (November 10) as a precautionary measure amid the deteriorating air quality index (AQI) levels. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader also stated that schools in Delhi will offer students of Classes 6 to 12 the option of switching to online classes.
Context
Why does this story matter?
If Delhi's present air pollution levels continue, city dwellers could lose 11.9 years of life expectancy, a recent study revealed. A combination of elements, including vehicular pollution, smoke from stubble burning, and factory emissions, turns the air hazardous in the national capital every winter. To counter the increasing AQI, the Delhi government has already banned the manufacture, storage, and sale of firecrackers and the entry of diesel buses from other states.
Twitter Post
Check out Atishi's post here
As pollution levels continue to remain high, primary schools in Delhi will stay closed till 10th November.
— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) November 5, 2023
For Grade 6-12, schools are being given the option of shifting to online classes.
What Next?
Delhi's AQI remains in 'severe' category on Sunday
Delhiites woke up to a thick layer of smog over Delhi on Sunday morning again as the air quality stayed in the "severe" category for the fourth consecutive day. As per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the national capital's overall AQI was recorded at 460 (severe) at 7:00am, and no respite is expected from the toxic air until at least Tuesday (November 7).
Twitter Post
Aerial view of smoggy Delhi on Sunday
#WATCH | Delhi: ANI drone camera footage from the Red Fort area shows a thick layer of haze in the air. Visuals shot at 7.45 am today.
— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2023
The air quality in Delhi continues to be in the 'Severe' category as per CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board). pic.twitter.com/84hqKQc1WE
Details
Air quality in Noida, Gurugram plunges
Noida also witnessed a similar Sunday morning as its air quality plunged to the "severe" category with a 466 AQI, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) data. Meanwhile, Gurugram's AQI stood at 392. Notably, any AQI between 0-50 is considered "good," 51-100 as "satisfactory," 101-200 as "moderate," 201-300 as "poor," and 301-400 as "very poor." While 401-500 is "severe," and anything over 500 is seen as "severe plus."
More details
CAQM meeting on Sunday amid Delhi's deteriorating air quality
Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the committee formed to invoke actions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), will reportedly meet on Sunday to decide on measures for reducing air pollution. Reportedly, the national capital's air pollution significantly peaks between November 1 and November 15, as farmers in Punjab and Haryana increase stubble burning.
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Gopal Rai writes to Bhupender Yadav, Arvind Kejriwal
Earlier, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai wrote to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav and urged him to only allow CNG, electric, and BS-VI-compliant vehicles into Delhi-NCR. Rai also wrote to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, demanding Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) Chairperson Ashwani Kumar's suspension for "arbitrarily halting" the operation of a large smog tower installed at Connaught Place to tackle air pollution in 2021.