Delhi-NCR suffocates in dense smog; AQI hits ‘severe’.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) defines air quality index (AQI) levels to help understand pollution severity. An AQI between 0-50 is categorized as ‘good,’ indicating minimal air pollution. Levels from 51-100 are considered ‘satisfactory,’ while 101-200 falls under ‘moderate,’ suggesting moderate health impacts. When the AQI reaches 201-300, it’s labeled ‘poor,’ posing risks for vulnerable groups. Levels from 301-400 are classified as ‘very poor,’ harmful to health, while 401-450 is ‘severe,’ with significant health risks for all. Anything above 450 is ‘severe plus,’ representing dangerously high pollution with serious health implications for the entire population.
New Delhi experienced a smoggy Thursday morning, with its residents waking up to an Air Quality Index (AQI) classified as ‘severe.’ As of 7:30 a.m., the city’s average AQI reached an alarming 430, marking a second consecutive day of hazardous pollution levels. The current air quality highlights the city’s struggle with persistent pollution, a problem that escalates each winter due to multiple factors, including vehicle emissions, construction dust, and seasonal stubble burning from nearby agricultural regions.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that AQI readings in several parts of Delhi surpassed the 400 mark, signaling severe pollution levels and heightened health risks for all residents, particularly for those with respiratory issues. Some of the highest readings included Anand Vihar at 473, Ashok Vihar at 474, Dwarka Sector 8 at 458, and Jahangirpuri at 471. These numbers indicate pollution levels that pose serious health risks, as residents breathe in particulate matter and other toxic pollutants.
In addition to these high readings, numerous other locations recorded similarly alarming AQI levels. Patparganj registered an AQI of 472, Punjabi Bagh reached 459, RK Puram recorded 454, and Rohini had a reading of 453. Other critical areas included Major Dhyanchand Stadium at 444, the Indira Gandhi International Airport area at 435, ITO at 434, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at 408, NSIT Dwarka at 425, Okhla Phase 2 at 440, Mundka at 407, Najafgarh at 457, Narela at 438, and Sonia Vihar at 468. This extensive list illustrates the widespread severity of air quality issues throughout Delhi.
In some locations, AQI levels hovered just below the ‘severe’ threshold but remained in the ‘very poor’ category. Areas like Delhi Technological University (DTU) recorded an AQI of 398, Mathura Road at 395, Dilshad Garden at 385, Lodhi Road at 370, and Sri Aurobindo Marg at 345. Even these slightly lower readings fall within levels that carry significant health concerns, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with preexisting health conditions.
The problem extends beyond Delhi, affecting the National Capital Region (NCR) as well. Neighboring cities also faced elevated AQI levels. Faridabad recorded an AQI of 284, placing it in the ‘poor’ category, while Gurugram’s AQI reached 309, marking it as ‘very poor.’ Ghaziabad and Greater Noida recorded even higher levels, with AQI readings of 375 and 320, respectively. Noida registered a particularly high AQI of 367, placing it on the cusp of the ‘severe’ level.
The severity of the air pollution was underscored by data from IQAir, a Swiss-based air quality monitoring organization, which reported AQI levels in some parts of Delhi as high as 1,133 on Wednesday. This astronomical reading, well above the CPCB’s classification of ‘severe plus’ for levels above 450, indicated air that was classified as ‘hazardous,’ with PM2.5 identified as the primary pollutant. PM2.5, or particulate matter smaller than 2.5 micrometers, can penetrate deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream, posing severe health risks, especially to those with respiratory and cardiovascular issues.
The ongoing smog is largely attributed to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, a seasonal practice in which farmers burn the remnants of their crops to clear fields for the next planting season. This practice, combined with weather conditions such as low wind speeds, traps pollutants over Delhi, leading to prolonged periods of poor air quality. Since October 30, Delhi’s AQI has consistently fallen within the ‘very poor’ category, indicating the severe, persistent health risks that residents face.
The CPCB’s AQI classification system defines the severity of air pollution in terms that highlight the potential health impacts. According to the CPCB, an AQI between 0-50 is considered ‘good,’ meaning minimal health impact. Levels between 51-100 are deemed ‘satisfactory,’ while 101-200 is classified as ‘moderate,’ suggesting some health effects, especially for sensitive groups. When the AQI rises to 201-300, it is considered ‘poor,’ carrying risks for vulnerable groups. A reading between 301-400 falls under ‘very poor,’ posing significant health risks for the general population. Levels from 401-450 are classified as ‘severe,’ indicating critical health risks, and any AQI above 450 is labeled ‘severe plus,’ representing dangerously high pollution levels with severe health effects.
The ongoing air quality crisis in Delhi and the surrounding NCR region continues to pose a grave public health challenge, with residents urged to limit outdoor exposure and take precautions to minimize health risks. Schools have been advised to consider temporary closures, and residents are encouraged to wear masks and use air purifiers if possible. This recurring issue highlights the need for concerted policy action, including stricter pollution control measures, alternatives to stubble burning, and increased public awareness campaigns to mitigate the impact of hazardous air pollution on public health.