Schools Reopen In Delhi-NCR But Air Quality Continues To Remain 'Poor'

Schools across Delhi and NCR which were shut due to the public health emergency reopened on Wednesday even as the air quality remained 'poor'.

Across the national capital, students were wearing face masks to protect themselves from the toxic air as they returned to schools on Wednesday.

ANI

The Delhi government had announced the closure of schools till November 5 after pollution levels dipped to ¡®severe plus¡¯ category on Friday.

Cities in NCR including Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad also followed up and announced the closure of schools, keeping in mind the safety of the students.

However, as the air quality began signs of improving since Monday evening, the Delhi government had decided not to extend the closure.

ANI

On Wednesday, the average air quality in Delhi was 356, which is very poor. The air quality is likely to improve as the day progress, thanks to an increase in wind speeds.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered "good", 51-100 "satisfactory", 101-200 "moderate", 201-300 "poor", 301-400 "very poor", and 401-500 "severe". Above 500 is the "severe-plus or emergency" category.

The national capital and adjoining areas which had the cleanest Diwali in a few years just last week saw the air quality taking a drastic dip, mostly due to the increasing cases of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana.

According to Safar, the Indian government air quality regulator, 46% of Delhi's pollution this week was caused by stubble burning.

BCCL

Other than closing the schools, the Delhi government had also announced the return of odd-even traffic restrictions starting from this week. The traffic restrictions will continue until next week.

The air quality in Delhi is likely to improve in the coming days, due to the increase in wind speed and the possibility of rains this week.