Delhi Chokes: AQI Soars Past 400 in 12 Areas as Smog Season Begins

Air quality in Delhi has crossed alarming levels this week with the Air Quality Index soaring past 400 in 12 areas across the city. The smog and pollution level have reached a critical stage, raising the public health concern among residents as they have to take precautionary measures before venturing out. The situation is most sensitive in areas like Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, and Vivek Vihar where the AQI readings have been crossing 400, which represents hazardous air quality. The situation is likely to continue till the end of the week.

High AQI Readings Across Delhi's Key Areas

Central Pollution Control Board says, AQI in the city Delhi, recorded as high as 373 as of today and some places in Delhi has shown readings more than this as follows.

Area AQI
Anand Vihar — 433
Vivek Vihar — 421
Wazirpur — 414
Jahangirpuri — 413
Rohini — 409
Ashok Vihar — 409
Dwarka — 407
Burari Crossing — 408
Punjabi Bagh — 404
Pratapganj — 402
Moti Bagh — 400
Mundka — 400

These levels are way above the safety mark and fall in the "severe" category, causing a severe health hazard to its residents. Even healthy individuals may feel discomfort. Inhaling this level of air pollution can lead to respiratory disease, aggravate existing respiratory diseases, and deteriorate it for the others.

Smog and Fog Hit Delhi First Time This Season

The first smog event for the season hits Delhi yesterday on Sunday whereas the city experienced the first fog on Monday. Smog and light fog created cold waves at the place. There was a serious chill among the people too. As per the prediction, minimum temperature was recorded today to be 17.1°C. For the today, the predicted figures would be maximum at 32.76°C, whereas the minimum at 19.05°C.

Weather Conditions and Pollution Forecast

The current weather conditions are also responsible for the smog, with minimal wind movement, which has enabled the pollutants to accumulate. The humidity level is 23% and the wind speed was measured at approximately 23 km/h. There is minimal dispersal of pollutants in the air. Such conditions combined with seasonal crop burning in the neighboring states have led to the thick smog over Delhi.

As expected, the smog situation will be the same for Delhi until November 10 and is unlikely to settle. The environmental agencies have already issued warnings that this is only temporary and may only change when it significantly rains or experiences a gust of wind blowing off the smog.

Public Health and Safety Measures

Now the air quality in Delhi continued to deteriorate, experts advised health professionals to warn residents, especially children and senior citizens with respiratory maladies, to stay within their homes, while advice was being given to persons to check the level of AQI before one goes out of home, the same people working outdoors to work carrying protective N95 masks as precaution with them, and keeping air purifiers indoors. Schools are now measuring the level of air quality, and some institutions have even canceled outdoor activities or moved the activity indoors to avoid exposure.

Action Needed NOW

With fresh instances of critical air-pollution levels in New Delhi, millions of inhabitants find themselves at risk. More severe air pollution has indeed become a challenge for cities, and there is more needed than just short-term approaches to this recurring problem to tackle it in the short-run and long-run.

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