Residents of Gurgaon witnessed only a slight respite from toxic air on Thursday, as the city's overall air quality index (AQI) registered a marginal improvement but stubbornly stayed within the 'poor' category. The day's average AQI was recorded at 276, a minor dip from Wednesday's reading of 279.
Monitoring Stations Paint a Grim Picture
Data from individual monitoring stations revealed a concerning disparity across the city. Gwalpahari emerged as the most polluted location, recording a 'very poor' AQI of 317. This was followed by Sector 51, where the air quality was 'poor' with an AQI of 290. Vikas Sadan reported a relatively lower, yet still unhealthy, AQI of 204. Notably, the AQI at Teri Gram could not be computed due to insufficient data.
The concentration of harmful particulate matter remained alarmingly high. At Sector 51, levels of the deadly PM2.5 pollutants touched a staggering 500 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³). Gwal Pahari followed closely with 487 µg/m³, and Vikas Sadan recorded 243 µg/m³. PM10 levels were similarly elevated, with Sector 51 again at the top with 500 µg/m³.
Weather to Worsen, Experts Issue Health Advisory
According to forecasts from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (Safar), the situation is set to deteriorate. Air quality is likely to slip into the 'very poor' to 'severe' category in the coming days. Unfavourable meteorological conditions are expected to trap pollutants close to the ground, hindering their dispersion.
The weather department has predicted a partly cloudy sky with dense to very dense fog in several areas during the morning hours. Wind patterns are also likely to remain unhelpful. Surface winds are expected to blow from the northwest at speeds up to 10 kmph in the morning, shifting to westerly winds at around 15 kmph in the afternoon. Crucially, wind speeds are forecast to fall below 5 kmph by evening and night, creating a stagnant air mass.
Safar highlighted that the ventilation index, a measure of the atmosphere's ability to disperse pollutants, is expected to be around 3,000 m²/s on Friday. "A ventilation index below 6,000 m²/s, combined with average wind speeds of less than 10kmph, is unfavourable for the dispersion of air pollutants," the agency noted. In light of these conditions, health experts have strongly advised residents, especially the elderly, children, and those with respiratory issues, to limit their time outdoors, particularly during early mornings and late evenings.
Readings Far Exceed Safe Limits
The recorded levels of particulate matter present a severe public health risk. All PM2.5 and PM10 readings across Gurgaon's monitoring stations remain dangerously above the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) annual safe limits. The safe standard for PM2.5 is 60 µg/m³, while for PM10 it is 100 µg/m³. The current measurements are multiple times higher than these thresholds, indicating a prolonged exposure hazard for the city's population.
