Thick Smog Engulfs Delhi-NCR, Air Quality Plunges To Hazardous Levels

On Wednesday morning, a dense smog layer enveloped Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), sharply reducing visibility and causing the air quality to drop to “very poor” levels.

Air Quality Index (AQI) Levels Across Delhi-NCR

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) at 349 as of 6 a.m. The pollution also affected surrounding NCR cities, with AQI readings of 196 in Faridabad, 266 in Gurugram, 276 in Ghaziabad, 289 in Greater Noida, and 269 in Noida.

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In Delhi, Aya Nagar reported the highest AQI reading, reaching a “severe” level of 406. Other areas across the city recorded AQI levels between 300 and 400, indicating extremely poor air quality.

Hazardous Levels and Main Pollutant

IQAir, a Swiss-based air quality monitoring organization, noted that Delhi’s AQI spiked to 1,133 in certain areas earlier, marking it as “hazardous” and identifying PM2.5 as the primary pollutant.

Visibility Concerns and Health Warnings

The thick smog, combined with moderate fog and mist, created poor visibility during the early hours. Experts expect these hazy conditions to continue into the evening, significantly increasing health risks for residents, especially those with respiratory issues.

Persistent Pollution Spike Due to Stubble Burning

Delhi’s AQI has stayed in the “very poor” category since October 30, starting at 307. The seasonal spike in pollution is primarily attributed to stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, where farmers clear fields post-harvest in October and November. On Tuesday night, parts of Punjab and Haryana also faced poor air quality, with Chandigarh— the shared capital—reaching a “very poor” AQI of 349. In Punjab, 83 new farm fires were recorded, raising the season’s total to 7,112.

CPCB AQI Classification

The CPCB defines AQI categories as follows:
– 0-50: Good
– 51-100: Satisfactory
– 101-200: Moderate
– 201-300: Poor
– 301-400: Very Poor
– 401-450: Severe
– Above 450: Severe Plus