The air quality in several parts of Delhi reeled under the 'severe' category on Friday morning with Mundka recording the highest Air Quality Index (498), as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The report, on analysis of air quality over the past five years, said that while air pollution has increased in the country's four major cities, it has fallen in state capitals like Lucknow and Patna, according to a recent report.
With the worsening air quality in the national capital, the head of clinical oncology of Delhi State Cancer Institute Dr Pragya Shukla said that there will be long-term side effects of the air pollution.
Amid the nosediving air quality in the national capital, the government has ordered for all the government and private primary schools to remain shut for the next two days.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has observed that adequate measures are required for the control of air-polluting components and their adverse effects on various organs of the human body, especially those that affect the brain and emotional and psychological aspects.
Amid rising concerns over the deteroriating air quality in several parts of the country, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Thursday said that in order to curb air pollution, we need "drastic measures" now.
Amid rising concerns over the deteriorating air quality in the national capital, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has called for a meeting on Friday to discuss the implementation of stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
As the air quality in the national capital has continued to remain in the 'very poor' category since Sunday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has invoked the third stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Thursday.
According to officials, a sortie and search operation was conducted and the paraglider's body was initially spotted on Tuesday. However, challenging terrain and cliffs made it impossible to retrieve the body.
Amid the rising pollution and deteriorating air quality, the next 15 days are going to be crucial said Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Thursday.
With the arrival of winter, the national capital is once again witnessing a deteriorating quality of air. On Thursday, the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) was at 343, which falls in 'very poor' quality for the fifth consecutive day, triggering the risk of health emergency.