Ten cities ofUttar Pradeshwere among 15 most polluted cities in the country on Tuesday. The Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded in the severe category, according to the data compiled by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Among the UP cities, the pollution in Firozabad and Agra rose to alarming levels at 489 and 472, respectively. However, the AQI levels in Delhi were recorded at 404.
Experts believe that the air quality might deteriorate in the coming days due to the current weather conditions and stubble burning.
The air quality in Agra continued to remain in the severe category despite the interventions of the apex court and the . A thick blanket of smoke and dust enveloped the region, reducing visibility to a few meters.
According to CPCB report, Firozabad recorded 489 AQI and most West UP and NCR cities also stayed in the severe zone Agra (472), Vrindavan (454), Ghaziabad (451), Baghpat (442), Meerut and Hapur (433), Noida (426), Greater Noida (412) and Muzaffarnagar (410).
Five other cities across the country also recorded worse air quality Jind (403), Delhi (404), Ballabhgarh (412), Kaithal (418), and Faridabad (430).
An AQI ranging from 0 to 50 is considered good, and satisfactory if it falls between 51 and 100. Similarly, from 101 to 200 it will be moderate, 201 to 300 is considered poor, 301 to 400 is taken as very poor, and above 400 its severe.