New Delhi: Delhi’s air quality plunged further on Wednesday morning, with a dense layer of smog settling over the city and pushing pollution indicators deep into the ‘severe’ zone. Several key monitoring points recorded AQI readings above 400, signalling extremely unhealthy conditions for residents.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed exceptionally high levels of particulate matter at 8 a.m.:
- Anand Vihar: 419
- Bawana: 445
- Rohini: 431
- Punjabi Bagh: 425
The National Capital Region mirrored the grim trend. Greater Noida touched 450, one of the day’s highest values, while Noida registered 410 and Ghaziabad 435. Faridabad and Gurugram, though relatively better, still fell in the ‘poor’ and ‘very poor’ categories, recording 234 and 288 respectively.
The deterioration follows a steady rise in pollution through the week. On Tuesday afternoon, Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI stood at 374, already labelled ‘very poor’, with more than ten stations slipping into the ‘severe’ bracket—levels that can trigger breathing discomfort, especially among vulnerable groups.
Under CPCB norms, the AQI scale ranges from ‘good’ (0–50) to ‘severe’ (401–500), with pollutants in the upper bands known to cause significant health impacts.
Environmental experts warn that calm winds and low temperatures may trap pollutants over the region in the coming days. Health advisories urge the public to reduce outdoor exposure and take precautions, particularly for children, seniors, and those with respiratory issues. Authorities continue to monitor the situation as emergency measures may be considered if the smog persists.
