New Delhi, November 16: The air pollution levels in Delhi-NCR continued to aggravate with the air quality index (AQI) spiking sharply over 500 in several areas on Saturday morning. Smog continued to engulf Delhi and residents complained facing problems such as breathlessness, cough, dizziness and eyes burning. According to a tweet by ANI, the major pollutants PM 2.5 & PM 10, both were reported at 500 (severe category), in Lodhi Road area. According to the Air Quality Index (AQI) data, Wazirpur was at 437 and Mundka at 458, both in 'severe' category on air quality index.

As the air pollution touched 'emergency' levels earlier this week, the Delhi government had ordered all schools in the national capital to remain shut till November 15. As per data by Air Visual on the World AQI rankings, Delhi has been named as the most polluted major city in the world with an air quality index (AQI) of 527 on Friday. seventh spot followed by Guangzhou in China with an AQI of 157. Meanwhile, Mumbai is in the ninth place with an AQI of 153. Delhi Air Pollution: 'How Do People Breathe?' Supreme Court Asks Delhi Govt, Says Odd-Even May Not Be the Solution.

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The report further adds that the air quality broke all records on November 5, when it was in the hazardous range for nine consecutive days, making this the longest spell of hazardous air quality since public records began. On Friday, , the air pollution emergency was up with the air quality index (AQI) spiking sharply to 528. With a PM 10 count of 583 and PM 2.5 count of 378, the air emergency has deteriorated sharply since Thursday. The pollution control authorities on Wednesday decided to shut down schools for two days after PM 2.5 levels stayed above 300 for two days running.

On Friday, the Supreme Court ordered the Centre to use world-class technology to address deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR region. The Court said said in spite of Odd-Even vehicle rationing scheme, pollution has reached a severe level. Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday stated that decision on extending the odd-even road rationing scheme would be taken on Monday morning as the air quality in the national capital is expected to improve in the next two-three days.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 16, 2019 08:32 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).