Delhi’s Air Quality Deteriorates: Breathing Equals Smoking 49 Cigarettes Daily As AQI Soars To 978

Delhi’s worsening air quality has reached alarming levels, equivalent to inhaling 49.02 cigarettes per day as the Air Quality Index (AQI) peaked at a staggering 978. Since late October, pollution in the national capital has continued to deteriorate due to factors like stubble burning and firecrackers.

As of 12:30 PM on November 18, data from aqi.in indicated that Delhi’s AQI was among the worst recorded. Residents are grappling with “unimaginable” levels of pollution, leading to a “choking” cityscape.

The apex court has pulled up AAP-led Delhi government for tardiness in implementing Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih emphasized that measures under Stage 4 must continue to be enforced if the AQI deteriorates slightly below the 450 mark. As a countermeasure, most schools in Delhi have decided to go online with classes except for 10 and 12 grades due to hazardous conditions.

Air Quality Worsens in Haryana Too

Haryana recorded a severe AQI of 631, which corresponds to smoking 33.25 cigarettes every day. Smog and pollutants emitted from stubble burning continue to affect both Haryana and Delhi.

Uttar Pradesh and Punjab

Uttar Pradesh stood at 273, equivalent to smoking 10.16 cigarettes each day. The state recorded PM2.5 levels of 122 µg/m³. Punjab, on the other hand, is often known for stubble burning. The state’s AQI is placed at 233, equivalent to the smoke from 8.34 cigarettes a day. Delhi Chief Minister Atishi Marlena said, “If Punjab’s AAP government can bring down the stubble burning by as much as 80%, then why is it rising in other states?”

Also Read: Delhi Air Quality Deteriorates: Schools and Offices Go Remote Amid Emergency Measures

Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh: Clean Air Outliers

Ladakh has the cleanest air, equivalent to zero cigarettes per day. Arunachal Pradesh comes closest with an AQI of 13, which is merely 0.18 cigarettes daily, so the citizens have much healthier lungs overall.