Delhi smog crisis deepens: AQI at 439 in ‘severe’ category; cold wave, fog persist, visibility remains poor

NEW DELHI: Delhi continued to reel under a severe air pollution crisis on Sunday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 439 at 7 am, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

The situation worsened overnight, with the AQI at 432 at 10 pm on Saturday, remaining in the ‘severe’ category, before deteriorating further by early Sunday. The persistent smog has raised serious health concerns, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions.

Several parts of the city recorded alarmingly high pollution levels, highlighting the widespread nature of the crisis. Anand Vihar registered an AQI of 489, Ashok Vihar 463, Bawana 467, Chandni Chowk 464, Dwarka Sector 8 469, ITO 448, Narela 412, Punjabi Bagh 476, RK Puram 467, and Wazirpur 478. All these areas fell in the ‘severe’ category, indicating extremely poor air quality and heightened health risks for residents.

As per AQI classification, a reading between 0 and 50 is good, 51 to 100 satisfactory, 101 to 200 moderate, 201 to 300 poor, 301 to 400 very poor and 401 to 500 severe.

Visibility across Delhi remained poor as cold wave conditions persisted, with dense fog blanketing large parts of the city. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that while moderate fog was observed at several locations, dense fog was recorded at isolated spots during the morning hours. Minimum temperatures on Sunday ranged between 5°C and 7°C, remaining 1.6°C to 3°C below normal.

In response to the worsening air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reinstated Stage-IV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Saturday.

Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and relevant factors and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP unanimously decides to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of the extant GRAP - Severe+ Air Quality (DELHI AQI > 450), with immediate effect, in the entire NCR, as a proactive measure. This is in addition to the actions under Stages I, II & III of the extant GRAP already in force in NCR, the order from the CAQM read.

The order further added, NCR Pollution Control Boards and other agencies concerned have been asked to escalate the preventive measures to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region.

Amid persistent severe pollution, cold wave, and dense fog, authorities have urged residents to limit outdoor activities, adhere to health advisories, and take precautions against the hazardous air quality.

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