Delhi Breathes Easier as Noida Suffers 'Severe' Air: NCR's Pollution Puzzle Unravels

• Delhi-NCR witnessed a stark pollution contrast: Delhi and Faridabad had relatively better air quality, while Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad plunged into 'Severe' category.
• Greater Noida recorded an alarming AQI of 434, Noida 419, and Ghaziabad 414, classifying them as 'Severe' and posing health risks.
• Delhi's average AQI was 390 ('Very Poor'), and Faridabad's was 255 ('Poor'), significantly better than its neighbors.
• Experts attribute the disparity to wind patterns, with North-West winds creating a 'wind shadow' for Faridabad and 'locking' pollutants in Noida-Ghaziabad.
• Local factors like extensive construction dust, industrial emissions, and the 'urban canyon effect' from skyscrapers in Noida-Greater Noida exacerbate pollution.

Why It Matters: NCR's pollution shows extreme local variations due to wind, local sources, and urban geography.