Delhi air quality worsens: 32 flights diverted, schools to remain shut in Noida till November 5

The air quality of Delhi and the national capital region has gone bad severely. Air quality index shows that places like Bawana, ITO crossing and Ashok Vihar in Delhi are the most polluted areas where the air quality has reached severe category. Besides Delhi and NCR, the air quality has also fallen in Lucknow. According to reports, many people reported sickness in Lucknow.  

Air Quality Index shows that AQI reading in Bawana was 492, ITO crossing was 487 and Ashok Vihar was 482. "Bawana at 492, ITO crossing at 487 and Ashok Vihar at 482 on Air Quality Index. All three in 'Severe' category. #DelhiAirQuality," ANI tweeted today. Due to low visibility at Delhi Airport, 32 flights have been diverted. Delhi government has ordered the school to remain shut till November 5 after a Supreme Court panel declared a public health emergency in the Delhi-NCR. Meanwhile, schools in Gautam Buddh Nagar including Noida will also remain closed till the same date.
Pollution at Arun Jaitley Stadium, where India will play Bangladesh in the first T20 match, later today has also been at elevated levels. Haze hangs over the stadium.

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In Ghaziabad, AQI reading in Vasundhara was 486 and Indirapuram 482 on Air Quality Index. "Ghaziabad: Vasundhara at 486 and Indirapuram at 482 on Air Quality Index," ANI tweeted. "Lucknow: Lalbagh at 419 and Talkatora District Industries Center area at 433 on Air Quality Index. Both in 'Severe' category."

In Lucknow, AQI reading at Lalbagh was 419 and Talkatora District Industries Center area 433. Both the places are placed in 'Severe' category. According to the Met Department, there are possibilities of light rain and thunderstorm across Delhi today. Met Department predicted a cloudy sky with light rain or drizzle in the city today.

In Noida, major pollutants PM 2.5 was at 486 and PM 10 at 459 in Sector-62, according to the National Air Quality Index (NAQI) data. Air quality in Sector-125, Sector-1 and Sector-116 were also in 'severe' category.

Every year after Diwali air quality goes down in the region. The main cause of pollution is attributed to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana by farmers. Other reasons that are attributed to the air pollution in the region are dust, car emissions and construction activities.