Delhi is still shrouded with dark clouds of dust, pollutants and smog as the AQI (Air Quality Index) was recorded at 457 on Sunday, remaining constant in the severe category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), giving no respite from the toxic aid that the city and its neighbouring region have been breathing over a couple of days now.As per CPCB, the air quality index in most regions across the city was above 400, with some areas recording near 500 at 6 am.Amid this prevailing pollution level, the Delhi government ordered the closure of all government and private primary schools on Friday and Saturday. Reportedly, it is said that this decision on further closure will be taken on Monday. Additional curbs are already in place in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, and Faridabad – each comes under the National Capital Region (NCR) – to tackle the severe air pollution.Air quality across Delhi continues to be in the Severe category as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).AQI in Aya Nagar at 464, in Dwarka Sector-8 at 486, in Jahangirpuri at 463 and around IGI Airport (T3) 480 pic.twitter.com/0dlvgOf19W— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2023Delhis worsening AQI may affect BAN vs SLThe rise in air pollution in Delhi-NCR could also impact Mondays ODI World Cup match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, which will be held in Delhis Arun Jaitley Stadium at 2:00 pm onwards.Moreover, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh cancelled their training sessions on November 4, ahead of their World Cup match in Delhi due to the extreme levels of air pollution in the national capital.Notably, 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. An AQI above 500 falls in the severe plus category.LG Saxena summons emergency meeting over rising pollution levelTaking notes from the situation, Lieutenant Governor (LG) VK Saxena summoned an emergency meeting on the air pollution situation, asking for efforts to be stepped up to control emissions. However, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was out of the city, was unable to attend the meeting.In a statement, the governor has urged the public to remain indoors as far as possible, avoid unnecessary travel, and if necessary, to use public transport, to ensure a lesser volume of traffic and therefore, reduced emissions and dust pollution.Use of water sprinklers, anti-smog gunsFurther, he also directed the use of water sprinklers and anti-smog guns in double shifts in the national Capital.The National Zoological Park has started frequent water sprinklers in the animal enclosures to keep the hydration level up in view of the worsening AQI, reported ANI. Diets with multivitamins are also being given to the animals to prevent the impact of polluted air in Delhi.#WATCH | Sprinkling of water done in Delhis National Zoological Park, as a measure against the rise in Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital (04/11) pic.twitter.com/ufyMDFV4YU— ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2023
