Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated significantly, shifting from ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ in many parts of the capital, with several areas experiencing ‘severe’ air quality levels. This decline follows a couple of days of slight improvement after the Diwali period.
On Sunday morning, a thick layer of smog enveloped the city, impacting visibility and causing concern for residents. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in many areas has surpassed the 300 mark, indicating unhealthy conditions. Anand Vihar recorded the highest AQI at 430, placing it in the ‘severe’ category, while Wazirpur also reported an AQI of 403, also in the ‘severe’ range.
In contrast, Najafgarh reported the lowest AQI at 164, categorizing its air quality as ‘moderate’. Sri Aurobindo Marg followed with an AQI of 176.
According to data from 39 monitoring stations across Delhi, the majority of areas (26 stations) are experiencing ‘very poor’ air quality (AQI 301-400). Only seven stations fall under the ‘poor’ category (AQI 201-300), with no areas currently in the ‘good’ or ‘satisfactory’ ranges.
Health experts are urging citizens to take precautions due to the deteriorating air quality. Dr. Randeep Guleria, former AIIMS Director, highlighted the acute health effects of high pollution levels, particularly for individuals with pre-existing heart or lung conditions, the elderly, and children. Symptoms like chest discomfort, breathing difficulties, and aggravated asthma are becoming more common. Even healthy individuals may experience nasal stuffiness, throat pain, and coughing due to airway inflammation caused by pollutants. The use of firecrackers, even ‘green’ ones, has contributed to the increased pollution levels.