Even as the opposition BJP and the ruling Aam Aadmi Party trade accusations ahead of the elections for civic bodies, Delhi's air quality has continued to deteriorate. At one in the afternoon, numerous parts of the capital's air quality index fell into the "severe" category, between 400 and 500.
Some places in Delhi are hovering over 500 in the index, with pollution levels at their highest level since January.
The World Health Organization's yearly safe limit for PM2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less) concentration is 40 to 60 times higher than this.
According to the most recent air quality prediction, it is expected to get worse and stay in the "very bad" category for at least a few days, which might result in health advisories.
AAP members today demonstrated in front of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor's office, alleging that he deliberately disapproved of their "Red Light on, Gaadi Off" campaign to reduce pollution. However, LG has retaliated, claiming that AAP "lied" about the launch date of the campaign.
The BJP, which now controls the Centre and is led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has frequently come under criticism from the AAP for having selected the Lieutenant Governor and accused him of engaging in "political vengeance" on their behalf.
The whole National Capital Region's air quality has likewise declined. At 1 pm, Noida had an AQI of 390, Ghaziabad 380, Greater Noida 395, Faridabad 396, and Delhi 400.
An AQI of 0 to 50 is regarded as "excellent," 51 to 100 as "acceptable," 101 to 200 as "moderate," 201 to 300 as "poor," 301 to 400 as "extremely poor," and 401 to 500 as "severe."
According to experts, the direction and speed of the wind are to blame for the worsening in air quality, which is leading to the buildup of pollutants and a spike in agricultural fire events.
Due to a significant shift in the weather, pollution levels during Diwali were the lowest in 7 years. Beginning on October 24, the AQI in the nation's capital began to decline, moving from the "poor" category to the "very poor" category.
On the evening of October 23, pollution levels crept up along with a decrease in wind speed and temperature, as well as from individuals setting off firecrackers and an increase in agricultural fires.
Since the wind will be so quiet and pollution will still be coming in from Punjab and Haryana, the pollutants will stay suspended for a longer period of time.
On the evening of October 23, pollution levels crept up along with a decrease in wind speed and temperature, as well as from individuals setting off firecrackers and an increase in agricultural fires.
Since the wind will be so quiet and pollution will still be coming in from Punjab and Haryana, the pollutants will stay suspended for a longer period of time.