Delhi-NCR today woke up to a thick hazy smog cover, with visibility dropping to dangerous leveles. The air quality too has dropped below permissible limits.
In such a situation, people are advised to avoid morning and evening walks. Also, use of masks are recommended, especially to those who are already suffering from some respiratory problems.
Such situations are expected to continue for the next few months, till the end of winter.
So if you are in Delhi NCR, you have to be cautious. Thankfully, your smartphone can help you keep a tab on the environment to some extent.
Particularly, there are two applications that you should download and use in your phone.
The first one is known as SAFAR – Air.
The App is conceived and developed by Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, with the help of IITM, Pune.
According to its makers: “This is the first mobile application service in our country to provide current and one to three day advance forecast for air quality and related health advisories in terms of colour-coded system that allows the public to easily comprehend the air & to make any adjustments to their personal outdoor plans based on advisory in your handset to keep up your health.”
The app is available for Android 4.0.3 and above handsets.
The Delhi government also has its own app to combat air pollution, called Swachh Delhi. Through this app, the citizens can send photographs of any activity which directly causes air pollution.
It is available for Android 2.2 and above smartphones.