Pollution is rearing its ugly head again in the National Capital Region. Winds that recently cleared the skies have died down, allowing AQI levels to spike perilously. Greater Noida and Ghaziabad lead the distress, with several locales crossing into the red zone— a severe category demanding urgent action.
Greater Noida’s Knowledge Park-5 AQI soared to 331, health-endangering red. Knowledge Park-3 recorded 202 (poor). Ghaziabad’s Loni (312), Sanjay Nagar (301) indicate dire straits; Indirapuram (273) and Vasundhara (271) are very poor.
Across Noida, Sector-125 (278), Sector-1 (262), Sector-116 (269) fall very poor, Sector-62 (201) poor. Delhi’s Anand Vihar (278), Ashok Vihar (263), Bawana (260), Burari (251), Chandni Chowk (239), Commonwealth (231), CRRI (210) paint a grim picture, marginally offset by Cantt (177) and Aya Nagar (197).
The India Meteorological Department anticipates warmer days: mins 16-17°C, maxes 32-34°C till March 12, clear and sunny. Experts link this to stagnant air trapping PM2.5 and other pollutants.
Civic bodies recommend precautions: avoid peak pollution hours, use protective gear, keep indoors if sensitive. As temperatures rise, will NCR see stubble burning or vehicular curbs? The battle against smog continues.