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Delhi continued to battle with air pollution for the 10th consecutive day post-Diwali as a dense layer of smog blanketed parts of the national capital on Sunday. <br /><br />Several parts of the national capital recorded very poor air quality levels on Sunday morning as per the data issued by the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR-India).<br /><br />Today morning, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 351, Bawana 383, CRRI Mathura Road 323, Dwarka Sector 8 at 341, IGI Airport at 326, ITO 328, Lodhi Road 319, Mundka at 358, Najafgarh at 341, New Moti Bagh at 394, Okhla phase-2 at 339, RK Puram at 368, and Wazirpur at 366, as per SAFAR-India data.<br /><br />As of 5 pm on November 10, Delhi's AQI stood at 334, with Anand Vihar at 353, Dilshad Garden at 262, and Jahangirpuri at 377. For tomorrow, AQI in adjoining cities of Noida and Gurugram is forecasted to be at 208.92 and 77.51, respectively. <br /><br />Multiple visuals from Delhi's Kartavya Path showed the area surrounding India Gate engulfed by a layer of smog. The AQI in the area was recorded at 357 as of 7 am. High-rise buildings were also covered in smog in the Kalindi Kunj and surrounding locality, as the AQI was recorded as 323 in the area.<br /><br />An AQI is considered "poor" between '200 and 300', "very poor" at '301 and 400', "severe" at '401-450," and 450 and above is "severe plus." As the air pollution levels in the national capital reach "very poor," doctors say that even people with no history of respiratory diseases are suffering from breathing issues.<br /><br />Dr. Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant for Respiratory Critical Care at Apollo Hospital, told ANI that apart from the regular patients, those who haven't had any respiratory issues in the past are showing up with symptoms such as runny noses, sneezing, coughing, and having increasing difficulties breathing. As it is, respiratory illnesses in the national capital are estimated to have shot up by around 15-20%. <br /><br />The Apollo doctor further suggested that the government close the schools for children as they remain vulnerable. Whenever the pollution levels have gone beyond a certain limit, the government has opted to close the schools, Dr. Modi said.<br /><br />"For the last few years, we have been seeing that the government has taken action. Whenever this pollution level has gone beyond a certain limit, they have opted to close the schools. This is important because children are from a vulnerable group. As adults, we are masked and can protect ourselves better, but children usually are not that effectively taking these measures. Secondly, their lungs are still in developing stages, so they are bound to have more harm due to this pollution," the doctor told ANI.<br /><br />Siddharth Singhal, Head of Health Insurance, Policybazaar.com, notes that while most standard health plans in India cover pollution-related ailments, it is always advised to also go for an OPD plan along with a health insurance plan to cover consultations, medications, and diagnostic tests that may be required frequently due to pollution.<br /><br />"Pollution levels in Delhi-NCR and some other parts of India have shot up post Diwali. Effects of this are very evident in the form of sore throats and breathing problems, among others. This can also result in respiratory ailments and chronic conditions like asthma, bronchitis, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), pneumonia, and severe cases of respiratory or bronchial obstruction. Health insurance becomes critical to cover such expenses. Most policies typically cover emergency hospitalization for respiratory issues like asthma or COPD exacerbations requiring ICU or critical care," he adds. <br />

Layer of smog covers Delhi as air quality remains 'very poor'. Here's why you need an insurance cover for this

<br />In a shocking development, <keyword id="20321520" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lahore" source="keywords">Lahore</keyword> in <keyword id="19899252" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="pakistan" source="keywords">Pakistan</keyword> is enduring an air pollution crisis that has driven its <keyword id="19918941" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-quality" source="keywords">Air Quality</keyword> Index (<keyword id="19916482" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="aqi" source="keywords">AQI</keyword>) well above the hazardous mark, crossing 1,000 in recent days. This level is over three times worse than the pollution typically recorded in New <keyword id="19900881" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="delhi" source="keywords">Delhi</keyword>, India, during <keyword id="188" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="diwali" source="Orion">Diwali</keyword> — a festival known for its own intense pollution spikes. The situation has led local officials to temporarily shut down primary schools and encourage remote work for half of the city’s workforce in a bid to limit exposure to the toxic air.<br /><br />Lahore’s pollution crisis has multiple contributors. Seasonal crop burning in nearby agricultural areas releases smoke and particulate matter into the air, while exhaust from vehicles and low-grade diesel generators further exacerbate the smog. During winter, cold air traps pollutants close to the ground, a phenomenon known as temperature inversion, which prevents pollutants from dispersing and intensifies smog. Lahore, a city of 14 million people, is experiencing the worst of these combined effects, which have led to severe visibility issues and alarming health risks for residents.<br /><br />Punjab’s Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb characterised the spike in Lahore’s pollution as "unexpected," pointing to cross-border pollution carried by winds from India as a key factor. She emphasised that the issue could only be managed through cooperation, adding that Pakistan’s foreign ministry would lead efforts to initiate discussions with Indian authorities.<br /><h2>Understanding AQI and its health impacts</h2>The AQI is a standardised measurement of air pollution levels, ranging from 0 (good) to 500+ (hazardous). Different categories within this scale represent varying health risks. For example, AQI values between 0-50 signify “good” air quality, while levels above 300 are deemed “hazardous” for all populations.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114649550" title="Lahore and Delhi amongst world&amp;#39;s most polluted cities; health warnings issued" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Lahore's recent AQI of over 1,000 — going as high as 1,900 by some accounts — has been described as a severe public health crisis. It’s composed primarily of particulate matter known as PM2.5 — tiny particles that are especially dangerous because they can be inhaled deeply into the lungs, leading to long-term respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.<h2>Delhi during Diwali</h2>Delhi is no stranger to pollution spikes, especially during the Diwali season, when fireworks, stubble burning in surrounding states, and vehicle emissions combine to create hazardous air conditions. During Diwali this year, Delhi’s AQI surpassed 400 once again, categorising it as “very poor” to “severe” — even two days after the festival.<br /><br />To combat the issue, authorities implemented a series of emergency measures through the <keyword id="19920169" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="graded-response-action-plan" source="keywords">Graded Response Action Plan</keyword> (GRAP), including bans on diesel generators and regular sprinkling of roadways. While these measures offered some relief, Delhi’s air quality remained severely compromised for days.<br /><h2>Long-term health implications</h2>The pollution crisis in cities like Lahore and Delhi poses a substantial long-term health risk. In Lahore, residents could lose an average of 7.5 years of life expectancy if these pollution levels persist, according to the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute. Air pollution is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and premature death, highlighting the need for stricter emissions regulations, clean energy initiatives, and cross-border cooperation to tackle the issue.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114836869" title="Delhi’s ‘lit’ skyline on Diwali goes viral; netizens bring attention to the smog-covered skies" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Air pollution is especially dangerous for children, whose lungs are still developing. Children breathe more rapidly than adults, which means they inhale more pollutants relative to their body weight. The <keyword id="19896311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-organization" source="keywords">World Health Organization</keyword> (WHO) reports that prolonged exposure to polluted air can result in severe health complications for children, including asthma, lung infections, and, in extreme cases, irreversible lung damage.<br /><br />South Asia as a whole is deeply affected by this issue, with nearly 600 million children regularly exposed to high levels of air pollution. UNICEF highlights that air pollution is a leading cause of child mortality in the region, with half of all childhood pneumonia cases linked to poor air quality.<br /><br />As cities like Lahore and Delhi grapple with worsening air quality, local governments, international bodies, and communities must prioritise pollution control to protect future generations from the devastating effects of polluted air.<br />

Pakistan shuts down schools as AQI becomes 3x worse than Delhi on Diwali

The national capital, Delhi, is once again grappling with a severe <keyword id="19900550" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-Pollution" source="keywords">air pollution</keyword> crisis. With an AQI of 339, the city’s air quality has plummeted into the “very poor” category, casting a thick layer of smog over its residents. This deteriorating air quality poses a significant threat to <keyword id="19913584" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Public-Health" source="keywords">public health</keyword> and has prompted widespread concern.<br /><br />The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology's (IITM) forecast paints a grim picture, predicting that the situation will likely persist for the next few days, with a further dip into the “very poor” category expected by Sunday. This annual decline in air quality is a result of a confluence of factors, including vehicle emissions, <keyword id="23593130" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Construction-Dust" source="keywords">construction dust</keyword>, and most notably, <keyword id="19990732" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Stubble-Burning" source="keywords">stubble burning</keyword> in neighbouring states.<br /><br />Despite strict regulations, the practice of stubble burning continues to be a major contributor to the air <keyword id="23291827" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pollution-Crisis" source="keywords">pollution crisis</keyword> in Delhi. Particulate matter emitted from this practice exacerbates the pollution levels, leading to a significant deterioration in air quality. The Supreme Court has recently criticised Punjab and Haryana for their failure to comply with anti-pollution laws related to stubble burning, increasing pressure on these states to take action.<br /><br />In response to the deteriorating air quality, the <keyword id="19925995" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Delhi-Government" source="keywords">Delhi government</keyword> has implemented several measures. The <keyword id="22644303" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Winter-Action-Plan" source="keywords">Winter Action Plan</keyword>, launched in late September, outlines 21 strategies aimed at curbing pollution. These include initiatives such as bio-decomposer spraying to reduce the effects of crop stubble burning and an anti-dust campaign targeting construction sites. Additionally, the Delhi Environment Minister, <keyword id="19931852" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="gopal-rai" source="keywords">Gopal Rai</keyword>, has introduced further measures to monitor the city’s pollution hotspots.<br /><br />While these efforts are commendable, the challenges posed by the deteriorating air quality remain significant. The combination of low temperatures and calm winds hinders the dispersal of pollutants, making it difficult to improve the air quality. Rainfall, when it occurs, can provide some relief, but the recurring nature of Delhi’s pollution problem highlights the urgent need for long-term solutions.<br /><br />As Delhi continues to grapple with this environmental crisis, it is imperative that both the government and citizens work together to address the root causes of air pollution. Sustainable practices, stricter regulations, and collective action are key to ensuring a healthier and more livable city for all.<br />  <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="114186705" title="Delhi breathing clean air despite Dussehra celebrations, AQI better than before: Gopal Rai" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div><br />

Delhi's AQI turns "very poor" today; Supreme Court criticises Punjab-Haryana for stubble-burning practices

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Layer of smog covers Delhi as air quality remains 'very poor'. Here's why you need an insurance cover for this

BI India Bureau

Pakistan shuts down schools as AQI becomes 3x worse than Delhi on Diwali

Ankush Banerjee

Delhi's AQI turns "very poor" today; Supreme Court criticises Punjab-Haryana for stubble-burning practices

BI India Bureau

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