Severe Air Pollution Grips Delhi as AQI Hits Alarming Levels

Delhi, India, is facing a dire air quality crisis as pollution levels reached a severe category, with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 464 recorded at 8 am on Friday. The situation worsened a day after it entered the severe category for the first time this season. Mundka and Bawana areas nearly touched the top AQI limit, registering 498 and 496 at 7:05 am. Except for Dilshad Garden with an AQI of 367, all other monitoring stations were classified as severe. Greater Noida and Faridabad also recorded alarming AQI levels at 473 and 442, respectively.

The deteriorating air quality not only resulted in thick haze but also severely reduced visibility, with Safdarjung at 600 meters and Palam at 500 meters. The decline in visibility is expected to persist due to low wind speeds. In response to the pollution crisis, schools for students in Classes 5 and below have been closed for two days. The situation is exacerbated by the influx of smoke from farm fires in neighboring states, further worsening the air quality. With Diwali approaching, experts anticipate the situation may worsen in the coming days. Authorities have enacted stringent anti-pollution measures, including a ban on certain construction activities, under Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (Grap).

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