Gurgaon: The city's air quality index rose to 239 (poor) on Sunday from 146 (moderate) on the previous day. Teri Gram station recorded AQI at 270, followed by Vikas Sadan at 249, Sector 51 at 221 and Gwal Pahari at 216.
This change was attributed to a decreased wind velocity, of 5kmph from 18kmph a day before, which made the pollutants stagnant in the atmosphere. The air quality is likely to worsen further and may reach the ‘very poor' category Monday onwards.
Meanwhile, doctors said they reported a 30-40% increase in people visiting the OPD with symptoms like cough and breathing problems. Dr Nevin Kishore, head of bronchology and senior consultant - respiratory medicine, pulmonology, Max hospital, said, "More patients are coming in with these symptoms. This is partly due to the increase in the AQI and pollution. We advise patients with asthma or respiratory problems to use their inhalers regularly, avoid going outdoors when the pollution levels are high, wear a mask in crowded areas, follow instructions of their doctors, and get shots of the influenza vaccine."
Delhi, meanwhile, saw its air quality worsen too, even though winds were not favourable for the transport of smoke from the stubble-burning sites to the capital on Sunday. Experts said air quality worsened as the local wind speed dropped to zero, causing an accumulation of pollutants. Winds from northwest India usually bring emissions from farm fires to Delhi.
A haze hung over the city as the lowest visibility was recorded at 1,000 metres at Palam and 1,500 metres at Safdarjung early Sunday. At some stations, the AQI slipped into the severe category. Expect no respite from toxic air over the next few days. Air quality is likely to hover in the ‘very poor' category on Monday and Tuesday, according to the Air Quality Early Warning System, which is the forecasting body under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences.