Delhi air quality continues to deteriorate, rain fails to bring respite

Air quality continued to deteriorate but remained in ' severe ' category in Delhi-NCR on Sunday, with pollution levels hovering at 447. Given the wind activity that had picked up on Saturday night, the air quality in Delhi and the surrounding regions remained in the severe category.

All pollution measurement stations in Delhi-NCR on Sunday showed a severe level of pollution, but on a much higher side.

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was at 447 at 5:30 a.m. two days after the Delhi-NCR recorded its worst air quality forcing authorities to shut down schools, ban construction activities and declare a public health emergency. Saturday's total AQI in Delhi was 402 at 8 p.m.

Anand Vihar's air quality was recorded at 478 and 463. ITO recorded the most deteriorated air quality, 486. On Sunday morning, most areas recorded an AQI above 450.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor' and 401-500 'severe'. The air quality above 500 falls in the 'severe plus' category.

The share of stubble burning in pollution from Delhi dropped from 44 percent on Friday, the highest season, to 17 percent on Saturday, said SAFAR Air Quality Monitor from the government.

In view of the alarming levels of air pollution, a Supreme Court mandated panel on Friday declared a public health emergency in Delhi-NCR and imposed a ban on all construction activities until November 5.

Earlier, the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority had banned construction activities only for the period between 6 pm and 10 am till November 2. Now, no construction can take place even in day time.