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Noida/New Delhi, 4 December. Air quality in Delhi-NCR continues to be severe. Due to the strong cold winds that blew late on Wednesday night, a slight improvement in pollution levels was recorded in some areas, but despite this the air quality could not come out of the dangerous category. Most stations in Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad recorded AQI between 300 and 350, which falls in the ‘very poor’ to ‘severe’ category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state pollution control boards released on Thursday morning.

In areas like Okhla Phase-2, Punjabi Bagh, Patparganj, Rohini, RK Puram and Sirifort of Delhi, AQI was found between 309 to 344. At some places, the situation was even more worrying, where the pollution level was recorded up to 327 and 340. Only at Pusha station the AQI was 289, which is at the lower end of the ‘very poor’ category. According to experts, as soon as the wind slows down, PM 2.5 and PM 10 particles start accumulating again rapidly. The pollution level in Sector-125, Sector-1 and Sector-116 of Noida was recorded between 307 to 340, while the AQI at Sector-62 IMD station was 262. There was a slight improvement in air flow in the evening, but due to the drop in mercury, the pollutants remained close to the ground.

The AQI in Ghaziabad’s Loni reached 367, which falls in the ‘severe’ category. AQI was recorded at 335 in Vasundhara and 279 in Indirapuram. The air quality here appeared to be deteriorating further in the last 24 hours. According to the 7-day report of the Indian Meteorological Department, there will be a decline in mercury in Noida and surrounding areas in the next few days. During December 4 to 9, the minimum temperature may drop from 11 degrees to 9 degrees, while the maximum temperature will be between 21 to 23 degrees. Due to continuous fog and low wind speed, the possibility of controlling air pollution is also less.

Weather experts say that this week there will be severe cold with drop in night temperature. In such a situation, pollution and cold can have a double impact on people’s health. Health experts have advised the elderly, children and respiratory patients to wear masks when leaving the house and not go out unnecessarily in the morning and evening.