Delhi’s air pollution level reached the ‘severe’ category on the official index for the first time this season on Wednesday. The rise in pollution led to reduced visibility and disrupting some flights.
As per Swiss group IQAir’s live rankings, Delhi surpassed Lahore to become the world’s most polluted city. The national pollution control authority reported that the capital’s 24-hour air quality index (AQI) had reached 418.
As per ANI, at least eight flights were diverted from Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The Central Pollution Control Board categorises an AQI reading of 0-50 as “good” and anything above 401 as “severe,” which can harm healthy individuals and “seriously impact” those with pre-existing health conditions.
On Wednesday morning, the concentration of PM2.5 – particulate matter 2.5 microns or smaller in diameter, which can be inhaled into the lungs and cause serious diseases and heart problems – was more than 120 times the levels recommended by the World Health Organization, according to IQAir.
As per the IMD, dense fog – defined as that which reduces visibility to 50-200 metres (164-657 ft) – was expected to continue over northwest India for the “next 2-3 days”.
(With Reuters inputs)