Delhi’s Air Quality Is ‘Worst’ In Comparison To Current AQIs Around The World

Similar to previous years, come winter, and Delhi experiences one of the worst air pollution levels in the world. This year too has been no different as the national capital has once again scored the highest in comparison to the AQIs of other major cities around the world. By Amitha Ameen

 

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A post shared by Newswale (@wearenewswale) on Oct 18, 2020 at 2:59am PDT

After enjoying relatively clean air for a couple of months, especially during the peak of the lockdown, Delhi is once again struggling with increased air pollution levels. As lockdown continues to ease, the state capital is facing the brunt of it through severe deterioration in air quality in comparison to AQIs in major cities around the world.

Apart from vehicular and industrial emissions, farmers in Delhi’s neighbouring state Punjab have begun their annual stubble burning sessions leading to a decrease in the air quality. On Sunday alone, Punjab had reported 3,560 stubble burning incidents with the highest farm fires recorded in Sangrur district.

Delhi: Pollution continues to affect the quality of air in the national capital.

Air Quality Index at 302 in ITO, in ‘very poor’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. pic.twitter.com/FDHTQY0Uyt

— ANI (@ANI) November 2, 2020

“Pollution continues to affect the quality of air in the national capital. Air Quality Index at 302 in ITO, in ‘very poor’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data,” tweeted ANI. According to the scales, an AQI between 0 and 50 is ‘good’, between 51 and 100 is ‘satisfactory’, 101 to 200 is ‘moderate’, 201 to 300 is ‘poor’, and 400 to 500 is considered as ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’.

The issue of air pollution and smog enveloping the national capital has been a longstanding problem. The farmers say that they need to continue stubble burning to make way for a new harvest season and claim that they are ready to stop the practice if the government agrees to provide them with alternate methods to do the same.

According to the AQIs around the world, some of the best faring capitals include Berlin, Germany, and Brasilia, Brazil at AQI 16, Canberra, Australia at AQI 17, Paris, France at AQI 18, Ottawa, Canada at AQI 25 and Brussels, Belgium at AQI 30.

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