Delhi Residents Breathe Toxic Air As Pollution Levels Spike Amidst Fog

The air quality in the national capital remained in the poor category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) measuring at 249, as reported by SAFAR India. This was a slight improvement compared to the previous day when the AQI stood at 256.

Meanwhile, Noida recorded an AQI of 269, categorizing it as poor, while Gurugram had an AQI of 176, indicating a moderate level of air quality. In response to the deteriorating air quality, an anti-air pollution campaign was initiated on October 26 to address the issue in Delhi and its neighboring regions.

The recent decline in air quality can be attributed to ongoing stubble burning in parts of Punjab and Haryana, with more than 2,500 cases of stubble burning reported this year. It is worth noting that while the situation has worsened in recent days, the numbers related to farm fire incidents are comparatively better than those of the past two years. In an effort to mitigate the impact of increased pollution, Delhi has implemented the second phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is determined based on the concentration of air pollutants in the environment and their potential health effects, known as health breakpoints. The AQI scale categorizes air quality as follows: 0-50 is "good," 51-100 is "satisfactory," 101-200 is "moderate," 201-300 is "poor," 301-400 is "very poor," and 401-450 is "severe."

Meanwhile, the city remains under the relentless grasp of a severe cold wave, with residents waking up to thick fog, frozen water, and piercing cold. This bone-chilling weather, exacerbated by the dense fog enveloping Delhi, has resurrected concerns about air pollution. With winter in full swing and the city shrouded in thick layers of fog, visibility is severely compromised, and the declining air quality has further exacerbated the plight of the residents as they struggle to prepare for their daily routines.