Delhi Suffers Worst Air Quality This Season: Dense Fog and Pollution Hit New Highs

Delhi residents woke up on Thursday, November 14, to a grim reminder of the city’s worsening environmental crisis. A dense fog blanketed the National Capital Region (NCR), reducing visibility and pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to alarming levels. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) termed the pollution spike an “episodic event,” driven by an unusually dense fog and plummeting temperatures.

Pollution at Severe Levels Across Delhi

As of 5 a.m. Thursday, the AQI in Anand Vihar soared to a hazardous 473, classified as ‘severe plus.’ Other areas like Aya Nagar, Ashok Vihar, and Wazirpur also reported AQI levels above 400, further underscoring the city’s environmental emergency. Despite these dire readings, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has opted not to enforce Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes halting construction activities and suspending primary school classes.

The CPCB data highlighted an alarming upward trend in pollution levels. The AQI, which stood at 418 at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, surged to 454 by 9 p.m., marking the worst air quality reading this season. According to CAQM protocols, Stage 4 of GRAP is activated when the 24-hour AQI average breaches the “severe plus” threshold, signaling the need for even stricter measures.

Factors Contributing to the Pollution Surge

The CPCB attributed the sharp rise in AQI to a combination of seasonal factors, including:

• Dense Fog: The season’s first thick fog layer trapped pollutants close to the ground.
• Low Temperatures: Safdarjung recorded a drop in daytime temperatures from 32.8°C on Tuesday to 27.8°C on Wednesday, worsening the smog situation.
• Stagnant Winds: Calm atmospheric conditions prevented the dispersion of pollutants.

The situation was exacerbated by localized sources of pollution, such as vehicular emissions, construction dust, and stubble burning in neighboring states.

Delhi’s Pollution in Context

While Delhi’s AQI reached a severe 418, other cities also faced poor air quality. Hajipur in Bihar recorded an AQI of 417, making it the second-worst polluted city in the country. Out of Delhi’s 36 air quality monitoring stations, 30 recorded pollution levels in the ‘severe’ category on Wednesday. This marks the capital’s first severe air quality event since January, which saw AQI levels peak at 447.

The AQI scale, ranging from ‘good’ (0-50) to ‘severe plus’ (450+), indicates the health impact of air pollution. At current levels, prolonged exposure to Delhi’s air can cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular issues, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing conditions.

Authorities Monitor Situation Closely

In its latest update on X, the CAQM assured residents that it is closely monitoring the situation. The agency predicts an improvement in air quality later on Thursday due to stronger winds, which could shift the AQI from the “severe” to the “very poor” category. However, officials remain cautious and have kept GRAP Stage 3 restrictions on standby, should pollution levels persist.

Potential Additional Measures

If air quality does not improve, authorities may impose stricter measures under GRAP Stage 3, including:

• A complete ban on construction and demolition activities.
• Restrictions on certain categories of vehicles, particularly older models that contribute significantly to emissions.
• Temporary suspension of outdoor activities in schools.

Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has also been instructed to increase services to accommodate commuters, aiming to reduce reliance on private vehicles.

Public Health Advisory

With pollution levels remaining in the severe category, residents are advised to:

• Avoid outdoor activities, especially during early mornings and evenings when pollution levels are highest.
• Use N95 masks when stepping outside.
• Install air purifiers at home to minimize indoor air pollution.

Urgent Need for Long-Term Solutions

This latest pollution episode highlights the urgent need for sustainable and long-term solutions to Delhi’s air quality crisis. While immediate measures like GRAP aim to mitigate short-term effects, experts emphasize the importance of addressing root causes such as vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and stubble burning.

Stronger enforcement of emission norms, investment in clean energy, and enhanced public transportation infrastructure are critical to tackling the city’s chronic air pollution problem. With winter just beginning, Delhi’s residents brace themselves for potentially more severe episodes unless swift action is taken.