Noida's Air Quality Deteriorates Further
The National Capital Region continued to grapple with hazardous air conditions as Noida recorded a slight worsening of air quality on Sunday. The city's Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped to 366 from Saturday's 354, firmly maintaining its position in the 'very poor' category according to official data.
Regional Air Quality Breakdown
The deteriorating air quality pattern was consistent across the NCR region. Greater Noida recorded an AQI of 340, showing a marginal decline from the previous day's 336. Similarly, Ghaziabad's air quality worsened to 345 from 339 recorded on Saturday.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that all four air monitoring stations in Noida registered 'very poor' air quality levels. Sector 62 recorded the worst air quality with an AQI of 365, followed closely by Sector 1 and Sector 116, both at 353 AQI. Sector 125 recorded an AQI of 350, still within the 'very poor' range.
In Greater Noida, both Knowledge Park III (AQI 338) and Knowledge Park V (AQI 330) maintained 'very poor' air quality standards. Ghaziabad presented a mixed picture, with Indirapuram recording 'poor' air at AQI 288, while Vasundhara suffered the worst conditions at AQI 395.
Weather Conditions and Forecast
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) reported that surface winds on Sunday primarily blew from the northwest at speeds reaching 20 kmph during afternoon hours. However, wind speeds significantly dropped to below 10 kmph during evening and night, contributing to pollutant accumulation.
Monday's weather forecast predicts mainly clear skies with smog and shallow fog during morning hours. Surface winds are expected to blow from the west at approximately 10 kmph in the morning, increasing to 15 kmph from the northwest in the afternoon before decreasing again below 10 kmph in the evening.
The air quality early warning system anticipates that air quality will remain in the 'very poor' category from November 10 to 12. The AQI is expected to stay within this concerning range for the subsequent six days as well.
Health Advisory from Medical Experts
Doctors across the region have expressed serious concerns about the worsening air quality. Dr DK Gupta, chairman of Felix Hospital, emphasized that vulnerable groups including children, elderly individuals, and people with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac conditions face greater health risks during such conditions.
"It is strongly advised to limit outdoor activities and wear masks, particularly during early mornings and late evenings when pollution levels peak," Dr Gupta stated. He further recommended maintaining sufficient fluid intake and keeping indoor plants to help maintain cleaner air indoors.
The medical expert warned that prolonged exposure to polluted air can lead to multiple health complications including:
- Allergic reactions and asthma
- Skin rashes and headaches
- Heart complications
- Respiratory distress
Broader Regional Context
Delhi also recorded 'very poor' air quality with an AQI of 370 on Sunday. According to the Centre's Decision Support System (DSS), the share of farm fires was 5.3% on Sunday, significantly lower than previous years when it peaked at over 40%.
The Commissioner for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) confirmed that they are not implementing strict pollution preventive measures under Grap-III currently. This decision came after a review meeting held on GRAP in light of Delhi's daily average AQI hovering around the higher end of the very poor category.
Meanwhile, Delhi continued to experience chilly weather conditions, recording a minimum temperature of 11.6°C on Sunday, which was three degrees below normal. This was marginally higher than Saturday's season low of 11°C. The India Meteorological Department has forecast shallow fog on Monday morning, with both maximum and minimum temperatures expected to remain in a similar range.
