Delhi Air Pollution rises back to 'Severe' category, touted to get worse

New Delhi: Air pollution from hazardous particulate matter rose back to alarming levels in Delhi on Tuesday morning after being low in the night. according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board. A dense smog filled the air in Delhi and areas surrounding it namely Gurugram, Noida, Faridabad and Ghaziabad. The toxic smog made visibility very low.

As per SAFAR, the air quality in Delhi at 8.48 AM on Tuesday was "severe." including areas like the IGI airport and Lodhi Road. The reports project towards even worse numbers tomorrow. The government has cautioned against all outdoor activity. The Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority (EPCA) mandated by the Supreme Court-mandated said dirty fuel-based industries in Delhi and surrounding suburbs will remain shut till Wednesday, November 13. Hot-mix plants and stone-crushers have also been banned in Delhi-NCR region till Wednesday.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tweeted earlier this week saying the pollution is being caused due to stubble burning.

"We should stop stubble burning. People are suffering immensely. SC has also directed. Pollution has again started increasing in Delhi due to stubble burning after some respite last week," he tweeted.

The Chief Minister's tweet came in response to Delhi government standing counsel (criminal) Rahul Mehra's tweet highlighting large scale stubble burning in Punjab through a bird's eye view picture of farmlands in the state.

"Fires burning around Amritsar at 12 noon yesterday and Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh government is simply doing nothing. Since this is rain moist farm waste, it is likely to create max PM2.5 leading to heart strokes, asthma, and lung patches. Delhi Odd-Even clears but Punjab again causes deadly smog?" Mehra tweeted earlier today.

The air quality in the national capital region rose from 'very poor' to 'severe' this morning.