Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR), including Noida and Ghaziabad, are currently experiencing severe air pollution, with the air quality index (AQI) hitting hazardous levels. On Wednesday morning, a dense layer of smog, combined with fog and mist, caused significant visibility issues. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an AQI of 393 at Anand Vihar at 5 a.m., placing the city in the “very poor” category, which means the air quality poses significant health risks to residents.
Key Points:
- Severe Air Pollution: According to Swiss group IQAir’s live ratings, Delhi’s AQI was a staggering 1133, which is categorized as “hazardous,” with PM2.5 being the main pollutant. The smog and reduced visibility have made morning commutes dangerous and will likely continue through the evening.
- Impact on Health: Experts have warned that the hazy conditions will persist, further deteriorating air quality and increasing the health risks for residents, particularly those with pre-existing respiratory conditions. Prolonged exposure to such air quality can lead to serious health issues like asthma and other lung diseases.
- Stubble Burning and Its Contribution: The primary cause of the worsening air quality in Delhi and the NCR is stubble burning in neighboring states like Punjab and Haryana. This practice, common after the harvesting of paddy crops in October and November, significantly contributes to the spike in air pollution. On Tuesday, Punjab witnessed 83 new farm fires, bringing the total count to 7,112.
- Poor Air Quality in Other Areas: The air quality in other parts of Punjab and Haryana was also concerning:
- Chandigarh: AQI of 349 (very poor)
- Mandi Gobindgarh: AQI of 269
- Patiala: AQI of 245
- Ludhiana: AQI of 233
- Jalandhar: AQI of 212 In Haryana, cities like Kaithal (AQI of 291), Jind (AQI of 272), and Panchkula (AQI of 267) reported poor air quality, with AQI values in the “poor” to “very poor” range.
- AQI Categories: The AQI is categorized 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
- Disruptions Due to Poor Visibility: The thick smog has even disrupted high-level events. On Tuesday, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar was forced to abandon his participation in an international conference in Ludhiana due to poor visibility. His plane could not land at Halwara Airport, and he was redirected to Amritsar before heading to Madhya Pradesh for another event.
- Efforts to Address the Situation: The authorities have been attempting to manage the air quality by limiting the number of farm fires and other pollution sources. However, the persistence of stubble burning and the prevailing weather conditions (fog, mist, and low wind speeds) have compounded the problem.
Conclusion:
The situation in Delhi and NCR remains critical, with the AQI in the “very poor” to “hazardous” range. The dense smog, combined with the ongoing stubble burning in neighboring states, continues to severely affect air quality, public health, and daily life. Authorities and residents must take urgent measures to reduce exposure to the polluted air and mitigate the ongoing impact.
