Delhi AQI highlights: City's 24-hour air quality index at 488 today, report says
Delhi AQI highlights: As air quality index levels reach alarming figures, concerns continue to grow about the impact of pollution on public health and safety.
Delhi AQI highlights: Amid the worsening air quality in the national capital, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi University, and Jamia Millia Islamia have decided to conduct all classes online until November 23....Read More
This decision follows the hazardous pollution levels in Delhi and the surrounding NCR region, where the air quality index (AQI) has reached severe categories, raising concerns about potential health risks for students and residents.
Delhi chief minister Atishi announced in-person classes for Class 10 and 12 will be suspended from Tuesday, as the city continues to battle “severe” pollution levels for the sixth consecutive day.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she confirmed that all classes will be shifted online. “With the imposition of GRAP-4 from today, physical classes were discontinued for all students, apart from Class 10 and 12. However, from tomorrow, all students in these classes will also have online classes,” Atishi said in the post on Monday.
Meanwhile, the office of the deputy commissioner in Gurugram of Haryana announced that physical classes for students up to 12th grade in the district will remain suspended from November 19 to November 23 or until further notice.
The air quality crisis has not been confined to Delhi alone, with other cities including Mumbai and parts of northern India witnessing similar deteriorations.
With AQI levels reaching alarming figures, the situation has sparked concerns across the country about the ongoing impact of pollution on public health and safety.
In response to the worsening situation, the Supreme Court on Monday, instructed Delhi and NCR states to strictly implement the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage IV anti-pollution measures.
The decision came after the AQI in Delhi escalated, reaching a daily average of 441 by 4 pm on Sunday and rising further to 457 by 7 pm. The court directed that these measures must continue, even if the AQI drops below 450, ensuring that the stringent actions remain in place until the pollution crisis is effectively addressed.
The apex court also directed the formation of monitoring teams across Delhi and NCR region to ensure that all actions required under GRAP are being followed.
It instructed the states and central government to file affidavits confirming their compliance with the plan. The GRAP (Graded Response Action Plan) is a set of emergency measures designed to tackle air pollution, with Stage III and Stage IV restrictions enforced when pollution levels reach severe thresholds.
The measures are aimed at minimising the harmful effects of air pollution on residents, especially vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory issues.
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- 19 Nov 2024, 09:05:55 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: Markets in Delhi see drop in footfall
Delhi AQI live updates: Rakesh Yadav, president of the Sadar Bazar Trades Association, said that there is a 15% decline in footfall in the Sadar market compared to usual days.
“There’s a noticeable decrease in the number of people visiting Sadar Bazar, especially customers from other states who typically come for wholesale shopping. Many are now placing orders online instead of travelling here due to the severe air pollution,” Yadav said.
- 19 Nov 2024, 07:52:30 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: Hospitals directed to form specialist teams for respiratory case
Delhi AQI live updates: The Delhi government's health department has directed all its hospitals to constitute teams of specialists to tackle patients with respiratory ailments linked to severe air pollution in the city, officials said.
The department has also instructed hospitals to monitor and report daily cases of respiratory ailments, including both outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) cases.
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- 19 Nov 2024, 07:25:57 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: Delhi is world's “most polluted city,” Swiss group claims
Delhi AQI live updates: According to Swiss group IQAir, Delhi's air quality was a “hazardous” 489 on Tuesday, making it the most polluted city in the world.
However, this is a significant improvement from Monday's 1,081 reading.
- 19 Nov 2024, 06:51:44 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: Delhi's 24-hour AQI at 488
Delhi AQI live updates: On Tuesday, Delhi's 24-hour air quality index (AQI) reading was at 488 on a scale of 500, and at least five stations in the city reported an AQI of 500, Reuters reported.
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- 19 Nov 2024, 05:53:17 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: ‘These problems crop up every year,’ says Dr Akash
Delhi AQI live updates: "As every year, these problems crop up as the air quality deteriorates every year in November, in its anticipation, the RML Hospital one-and-a-half months prior, a pollution-dedicated OPD started, this is first such OPD in a hospital in the country. This OPD is open from 2 pm to 4 pm on Tuesday in Room Number 3-4, ground floor, Medicine OPD. All the super specialists related to pollution are there- Chest Physician, Dermatologist, Ophthalmologist, Psychiatrist. All the pollution related problems are addressed at a single desk there," Dr Akash said.
- 19 Nov 2024, 05:26:07 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: ‘People facing skin-related issues due to increasing AQi,” says RML Hospital’s Dr Akash
Delhi AQI live updates: “As the AQI is increasing everyday, people are facing issues related to skin, and other problems, the most common is breathlessness, dry cough, suffocation. Eye irritation cases are also coming up,” says Dr Akash, Dermatologist, RML Hospital.
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- 19 Nov 2024, 05:10:37 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: Will odd-even be implemented in Delhi?
Delhi AQI live updates: Amid Delhi's worsening air quality, a concrete step in the return of odd and even rules and work-from-home measures is likely to be made by the government soon. The air quality in the national capital has remained in the “severe plus” category since Sunday, with AQI readings consistently above 450. Dig deeper
- 19 Nov 2024, 04:53:59 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: BJP accuses AAP govt of “playing" with people's health
Delhi AQI live updates: BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla lashed out at the Capital's AAP govt, accusing it of “playing” with the health of the people.
“Delhi is covered under a layer of pollution. You cannot even go out without wearing a mask. Delhi has achieved a milestone as it has crossed Lahore in pollution. AAP has brought Delhi to a state worse than Lahore. Today, the AQI is crossing the mark of 500-600. They (AAP) blame UP, Haryana and Diwali for all this. Earlier, they used to blame stubble burning in Punjab, now they don't say anything. The air is so polluted today. Aam Aadmi Party is playing with our health,” Poonawalla said.
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- 19 Nov 2024, 04:21:01 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: Delhi Metro achieves highest-ever daily ridership
Delhi AQI live updates: Amid the severe pollution gripping the national capital, Delhi Metro recorded its highest-ever daily ridership on November 18, with a staggering 78.67 lakh passenger journeys, according to official data.
This figure exceeded the previous high of 77.49 lakh passengers on August 20 of this year, the data said.
- 19 Nov 2024, 03:26:31 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: CJI says ‘no’ to complete virtual functioning of courts
Delhi AQI live updates: Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna declines request of some senior lawyers asking for complete virtual functioning of courts.
“We have told all judges here, wherever possible allow virtual,” CJI Khanna said.
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- 19 Nov 2024, 02:34:22 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: Jamia Millia switches to online mode till Saturday
Delhi AQI live update: In an official notification on Tuesday, the university stated that "classes shall be conducted in online mode till Saturday, November 23, with regular classes in physical mode to resume from Monday, November 25."
However, it clarified that the schedules for examinations and interviews will remain unchanged.
- 19 Nov 2024, 02:13:01 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: Gopal Rai says decision on work-from-home and odd-even scheme soon
Delhi AQI live updates: Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai said on Tuesday that a decision on implementing work-from-home measures and the odd-even scheme will be made soon to address the city's worsening air quality. Speaking to PTI, Rai said, “People including children and senior citizens are struggling to breathe and we deeply regret this situation.”
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- 19 Nov 2024, 01:34:53 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: BJP protests, distributes masks over AAP's alleged inaction on pollution
Delhi AQI live updates: BJP leaders staged a protest against the AAP government and distributed face masks in some of Delhi's most polluted areas, including Anand Vihar and ITO, as the city continued to battle severe air pollution. During an awareness and mask distribution event at Anand Vihar, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva criticised Aam Aadmi Party leaders Arvind Kejriwal and chief minister Atishi, accusing the government of failing to take action on the ongoing pollution crisis.
- 19 Nov 2024, 01:32:14 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: Jamia Millia Islamia shifts to online classes amid deteriorating air quality
Delhi AQI live updates: Following Jawaharlal Nehru University's decision to hold online classes due to severe pollution and deteriorating air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), Jamia Millia Islamia has also announced a shift to online classes until Saturday, November 23. An official notification from the university on Tuesday confirmed that “classes shall be conducted in online mode till Saturday, November 23, 2024, with regular in-person classes resuming on Monday, November 25.”
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- 19 Nov 2024, 12:15:00 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: Prime Minister Modi must take moral responsibility, says Gopal Rai
Delhi AQI live updates: Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in tackling the alarming air pollution levels in the national capital. Rai said that it is the Prime Minister’s moral responsibility to act decisively, urging the Centre to implement effective measures to control the worsening situation.
- 19 Nov 2024, 12:11:09 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: Gopal Rai says Centre must act on pollution or Union environment minister should resign
Delhi AQI live updates: Gopal Rai on Tuesday said that if the central government fails to take action on the alarming pollution levels in Delhi, the Union environment minister should resign. He criticised the lack of effective measures and urged the Centre to step up efforts to combat the pollution crisis affecting the national capital.
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- 19 Nov 2024, 12:07:59 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: Gopal Rai calls for GRAP enforcement across North India, accuses BJP-led states of violating rules
Delhi AQI live updates: Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai has called for the implementation of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across North India, accusing BJP-led states of violating the guidelines. Rai emphasised the urgency of enforcing these rules to tackle the escalating pollution crisis.
- 19 Nov 2024, 12:03:45 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: Gopal Rai slams Centre for ignoring plea over pollution crisis
Delhi AQI live updates: Delhi minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday criticised Union environment minister Bhupendra Yadav for neglecting the Delhi government's repeated requests to convene an emergency meeting over the city's worsening pollution situation.
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- 19 Nov 2024, 12:00:58 PM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: Delhi minister Gopal Rai proposes artificial rain to tackle smog
Delhi AQI live updates: Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai has suggested artificial rain to tackle Delhi's smog issue and requested an emergency meeting with experts and authorities. Rai said, “We have been consulting several experts over how to remove the smog cover in Delhi. We believe that the time has come for artificial rain to remove this smog cover and provide relief to the people. I am writing a letter to the Union environment minister Bhupendra Yadav requesting him to call an emergency meeting. The Delhi government, experts from IIT-Kanpur, who have done research on artificial rain, and all concerned departments should be called in the meeting to immediately initiate steps for artificial rain.”
- 19 Nov 2024, 11:13:21 AM IST
Delhi AQI live updates: 'This city is uninhabitable': Shashi Tharoor slams Centre on rising pollution
Delhi AQI live updates: Congress leader Shashi Tharoor criticised the central government on Tuesday over Delhi's severe air pollution, calling it the world's most polluted city. He said the capital is "nearly uninhabitable" from November to January and "barely liveable" the rest of the year. Tharoor termed it “unconscionable” that the government has allowed the crisis to persist for years without adequate action.
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- 19 Nov 2024, 09:52:44 AM IST
Delhi air pollution live updates: Gautam Buddha Nagar orders closure of physical classes up to 12th standard
Delhi air pollution live updates: Amid rising pollution levels in the Delhi-NCR region, Gautam Buddha Nagar District Magistrate Manish Kumar Verma on Monday ordered the closure of physical classes up to 12th standard until November 23.
- 19 Nov 2024, 09:19:29 AM IST
Delhi air pollution live updates: BJP MP Manoj Tiwari calls for awareness, urges mask use
Delhi air pollution live updates: BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said that the pollution level in Delhi is so dangerous right now that walking around without a mask is putting people's life at serious risk. "In this situation, we are trying to raise awareness. I know that we will not be able to help the entire population of Delhi, but it will definitely make people more conscious" said Tiwari.
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- 19 Nov 2024, 09:02:12 AM IST
Delhi air pollution live updates: Smog delays 22 trains and reschedules 9
Delhi air pollution live updates: Despite the ongoing smog in Delhi, train services continue, with visuals from New Delhi Railway Station showing a thick haze enveloping the area. Due to the reduced visibility, 22 trains have been delayed and 9 rescheduled, according to the Railways.
- 19 Nov 2024, 08:56:52 AM IST
Delhi air pollution live updates: Air quality remains in ‘severe plus’ category for second consecutive day
Delhi air pollution live updates: Air quality in Delhi remained in the 'severe plus' category for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, with smog reducing visibility and worsening pollution levels. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an AQI of 488 at 8 am, categorizing the air as hazardous. Such high AQI levels pose serious health risks, especially to vulnerable groups like children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or heart conditions.
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- 19 Nov 2024, 08:13:20 AM IST
Delhi air pollution live updates: Union health secretary issues advisory to states on combating air pollution's health impacts
Delhi air pollution live updates: The Union health secretary issued an updated advisory on Monday to states and union territories regarding air pollution. The advisory recommends strengthening health systems, raising awareness among vulnerable groups and at-risk occupations, and developing action plans at the district and city levels to address the health impacts of climate change and air pollution. It also highlights the need to expand the network of sentinel hospitals to monitor air pollution-related illnesses for more effective response and monitoring.
- 19 Nov 2024, 08:09:25 AM IST
Delhi air pollution live updates: Punjab sees record stubble-burning incidents, total hits 9,655
Delhi air pollution live updates: Punjab recorded its highest number of stubble-burning incidents this season, with 1,251 fires reported on Monday, according to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). This brings the total number of farm fires to 9,655, surpassing daily figures from the past three years. The increase highlights the ongoing challenge of stubble burning, a significant contributor to air pollution in northern India. The 2023 tally of 701 incidents on the same day and 637 in 2022 has been surpassed by Monday's figures.
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- 19 Nov 2024, 07:48:00 AM IST
Delhi air pollution live updates: Gurugram closes schools up to 5th standard
Delhi air pollution live updates: Amid deteriorating air quality in Gurugram, the deputy commissioner has ordered the closure of schools up to the 5th standard starting from November 19 until further notice. The decision follows an assessment of the area's Air Quality Index (AQI), which revealed pollution levels in some parts of the district falling into the “very poor” category, while other areas saw AQI levels in the “severe” range. In light of these concerns for children's health and safety, all classes up to the 5th standard will be suspended across both urban and rural areas of the district.
- 19 Nov 2024, 07:30:45 AM IST
Delhi air pollution live updates: Haryana government orders discontinuation of physical classes
Delhi air pollution live updates: The Haryana government on Monday authorised deputy commissioners to suspend physical classes in government and private schools due to rising air pollution levels. A letter issued by the Directorate of School Education empowered deputy commissioners to discontinue in-person classes for students up to Class 12 and shift to online learning as necessary. The move comes in response to growing concerns over air quality and its impact on student health.
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- 19 Nov 2024, 07:14:51 AM IST
Delhi air pollution live updates: Air quality takes centre stage at COP29 amid health warnings
Delhi air pollution live updates: At COP29, Delhi's hazardous air quality was highlighted as a critical concern, with experts urging for immediate global action to address the growing health risks posed by pollution. Aarti Khosla, Director of Climate Trends, emphasized the alarming rise in the city's Air Quality Index (AQI), which has reached dangerous levels, with certain areas showing particulate pollution levels exceeding 1,000 micrograms per cubic meter. She explained that pollution in the capital stems from multiple sources, including black carbon, ozone, fossil fuel burning, and crop burning. Khosla stressed the need for comprehensive solutions targeting all these contributors.