Delhi Chokes As Air Quality Slips Into ‘Severe’ Category During Cold Wave

Residents of the national capital woke up to hazardous air quality on Sunday as a thick layer of toxic smog and dense fog enveloped Delhi, pushing pollution levels into the ‘severe’ category.

The deteriorating air quality coincided with a sharp drop in temperatures, intensifying winter conditions across the city.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi’s primary weather station at Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 4.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while Ayanagar registered 4.9 degrees Celsius.

Several other areas reported temperatures below the 5-degree mark, prompting the IMD to issue a cold wave alert for parts of the capital.

In its forecast, the IMD predicted a partly cloudy sky, with moderate fog at many places and dense fog at isolated locations during morning hours.

The maximum temperature is expected to range between 21 and 23 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures may hover between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius.

Delhi’s air quality worsened sharply, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 437 at 6:30 AM, placing it in the ‘severe’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Several monitoring stations reported AQI levels above 450, categorised as ‘severe+’.

Areas including Wazirpur, Rohini, RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, Mundka, Anand Vihar, Chandni Chowk, and Bawana witnessed extremely hazardous air quality.

The weather office issued a nowcast warning due to dense fog and poor visibility. Indira Gandhi International Airport activated Low Visibility Procedures, advising passengers to check flight updates.

Health experts warned that severe pollution and cold wave conditions pose serious risks, especially to children, the elderly, and those with respiratory ailments.

Also Read: Delhi-NCR Air Quality Slips Into ‘Very Poor’ Category As Cold Wave Persists