One in twelve Indian cities has witnessed poor air quality over the last five days, compared with 1 percent at the start of the month, according to a Moneycontrol analysis of data released by the Central Pollution Control Board.
Delhi was the worst performer. The national capital was the only city, among the 238 for which data was available, with 'very poor' air quality and an AQI of over 300.
On October 21, the national capital recorded an AQI of 310, with the Commission for Air Quality Management implementing GRAP-II conditions.
Besides Delhi, 19 cities had over 200 AQI, which is considered poor air quality, and another 80 had moderate air quality, as per CPCB data.
An earlier analysis by Moneycontrol found that Delhi was also one of the worst-afflicted cities when it came to worsening air quality levels, with the capital witnessing an over 100-point jump in AQI. Most of the adjoining regions, like Kurukshetra, Gurugram, and Noida, had witnessed similar worsening.
Stubble burning incidents across the country have risen compared with the previous year, leading to worsening air quality in the region.
Around 3,400 stubble-burning incidents have been reported over the last month as compared with 3,100 incidents reported in the previous year.
Besides Delhi, Singrauli had an air quality of 300, while seven cities, most in north India, had an air quality index value of 250-300.
Among other major cities, Mumbai had an AQI of 51, Bengaluru was 50, Chennai was 44, and Hyderabad was 69. Kolkata had a worse air quality index reading of 120.
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