Delhi AQI Today: The air quality in the national capital dropped to ‘Very Poor’ category at 349 at 8 am on Monday as a thin layer of smog engulfed the city. Kushal Chaudhary, a college student and resident, told ANI that he had been facing difficulty in breathing due to the increasing pollution in the national capital.

“I am a college student and I have to leave for my college early in the morning. I have been facing suifficulties in breathing because of the rising pollution. Firecrackers have been banned here but despite that yesterday on Karwa Chauth, there were so many crackers burnt. The government needs to step up and takes control of the pollution.”

#WATCH | Shakurpur, Delhi: Khushal Chaudhary, a local resident says, "I am a college student and I have to leave for my college early in the morning. I feel difficulty in breathing because of this rising pollution. Firecrackers have been banned in Delhi but we still saw so many… https://t.co/1IdQ22yhop pic.twitter.com/9hzlun2hP7

— ANI (@ANI) October 21, 2024

Delhi AQI Today

At Shakarpur and surrounding areas in Delhi, the AQI level stood at 346 categorised as ‘Very Poor’, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). India Gate’s surrounding areas recorded an AQI of 309 in ‘Very Poor’ category. In Safdarjung, the AQI was was 307, categorized as ‘Very Poor.’

Pollution Levels In Yamuna River Continues To Increase

Meanwhile, the pollution levels in the Yamuna River continued to increase as toxic foam was seen floating on the water body.

According to Environmentalist Vimlendu K Jha, the phenomena is an absolute travesty of environmental governance in Delhi.

“We have yet again seen river Yamuna having a lot of froth floating on its surface…it is an absolute travesty of environmental governance in Delhi…we have seen the sources of pollution which is from primarily Delhi, of course, Delhi govt would like to blame this on other states. Indeed there are other states also that are responsible because Yamuna flows through these states but primary responsibility for Yamuna’s pollution is Delhi’s own pollution, the 17 drains that actually empty into Yamuna in Delhi..,” Vimlendu K Jha told ANI.

Earlier, speaking to ANI, Professor Sachchida Nand Tripathi, Dean of the Kotak School of Sustainability at the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, said, “The effect of froth on the Yamuna River is dangerous. The frequent occurrence of froth is primarily due to the large amounts of surfactants from soap, detergents, and other pollutants in untreated wastewater flowing into the river.”

What’s Causing High Pollution In Delhi-NCR?

Experts say that one of the key factors that have contributed to the buildup of pollution in the atmosphere include calm winds, low temperatures, and low mixing layer height.

Studies have shown that the presence of water content and organic species in the liquid phase can enhance SOA formation by increasing the partitioning of volatile organic compounds into the air. This process is especially significant in urban areas with heavy pollution, similar to the conditions in the Yamuna River.

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