Delhi air quality 'severe'; national capital tops 10 most polluted cities in India

Experts have warned that the pollution could adversely impact the Covid-19 situation in the national capital.

New Delhi, First Published Nov 6, 2021, 11:00 AM IST | Last Updated Nov 6, 2021, 11:00 AM IST

Residents of Delhi woke up to yet another polluted morning. And even though pollution levels are down from hazardous in the morning after Diwali to severe on Saturday morning, Delhiites are bracing themselves for yet another season of breathing toxic air. This is after reports of stubble burning have started coming in from Delhi's neighbouring states. Saturday morning data from the System of Air Quality & Weather Forecasting & Research or SAFAR on Saturday morning noted that the air quality in the city continues to be in the 'severe' category with the Air Quality Index registering at 533.

Experts have warned that the pollution could adversely impact the Covid-19 situation in the national capital. AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria, places with increased pollution levels have witnessed more severe cases. Data suggests that the virus may stay in the air for a longer period as they may latch on to the pollutants and thus be airborne for a longer period, he said.

According to air quality index data from the Central Pollution Control Board, the national capital New Delhi had the worst air quality among all the major cities in the country on Saturday morning. Second on the list was Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh.

Ten cities with the poorest air quality as of 8 am on November 6, 2021:

Delhi
Air Quality Index: 533
Air Quality: Severe

Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
Air Quality Index: 486
Air Quality: Severe

Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Air Quality Index: 478
Air Quality: Severe

Hapur, Uttar Pradesh
Air Quality Index: 468
Air Quality: Severe

Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh
Air Quality Index: 464
Air Quality: Severe

Bulandshahr, Uttar Pradesh
Air Quality Index: 463
Air Quality: Severe

Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Air Quality Index: 461
Air Quality: Severe

Gurugram, Haryana
Air Quality Index: 456
Air Quality: Severe

Meerut, Uttar Pradesh
Air Quality Index: 455
Air Quality: Severe

Ballabhgarh, Haryana
Air Quality Index: 448
Air Quality: Severe

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