Delhi air pollution worsens as AQI nears severe levels amid dense smog, cold temperatures, and thick fog. Several areas record severe pollution, raising health concerns and highlighting the urgent need for long-term air quality solutions.
Air pollution levels in Delhi deteriorated sharply on Sunday, pushing the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) dangerously close to the “severe” category amid dense smog, plunging temperatures, and persistent fog across northern India. The worsening air quality has once again triggered serious public health concerns, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, senior citizens, and individuals with respiratory or cardiac ailments.
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, operated by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, pollution levels climbed steadily throughout the day. By 11 p.m., the citywide AQI touched 410, officially breaching the “severe” threshold. Although there was a marginal improvement during the early morning hours, the situation remained grim. At around 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, the AQI stood at 396, categorised as “very poor” and bordering on severe.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app revealed that several locations across the national capital recorded alarmingly high pollution levels. Some of the worst-affected areas included Chandni Chowk with an AQI of 455, Wazirpur at 449, Rohini and Jahangirpuri both at 444, Anand Vihar at 438, and Mundka at 436. These readings firmly placed these regions in the “severe” pollution category, raising immediate concerns for residents.
Health experts warn that prolonged exposure to such air quality can lead to serious complications, including aggravated asthma, reduced lung function, eye irritation, and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Hospitals across the city have reported a rise in patients complaining of breathing difficulties, persistent cough, and throat irritation, especially during early morning and late evening hours.
The sharp decline in air quality coincided with adverse weather conditions that further intensified the pollution crisis. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued warnings of dense to very dense fog across Delhi and adjoining regions. Orange alerts, the second-highest warning level, were announced for Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Chandigarh, cautioning residents about poor visibility and potential disruptions to road, rail, and air traffic.
Meteorologists also reported “cold day” conditions in the capital, with temperatures remaining significantly below normal. Delhi recorded a maximum temperature of around 17 degrees Celsius, while the minimum dipped to nearly 8 degrees Celsius. The cold, coupled with stagnant air, allowed pollutants to accumulate close to the ground, forming a thick layer of smog that persisted throughout the day.
Experts attribute the sudden spike in pollution levels to a combination of unfavourable meteorological factors. Low wind speeds, high moisture content, and temperature inversion played a key role in trapping pollutants near the surface, preventing their dispersion. Additionally, emissions from vehicles, construction activities, industrial units, and seasonal biomass burning in neighbouring states continued to add to the pollution load.
Environmentalists have repeatedly stressed that such winter pollution episodes are not isolated incidents but part of a recurring annual pattern. Despite the implementation of measures like the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), restrictions on construction activities, and vehicular regulations during high pollution periods, the impact remains limited without long-term structural changes.
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Residents across Delhi reported reduced visibility, cancelled morning walks, and increased reliance on air purifiers indoors. Schools and parents expressed concerns about outdoor activities for children, while authorities urged citizens to limit exposure, wear protective masks, and avoid strenuous physical activities outdoors during peak pollution hours.
As winter deepens, pollution levels are expected to remain volatile unless favourable weather conditions, such as stronger winds or rainfall, provide temporary relief. The situation underscores the urgent need for coordinated regional efforts, stricter enforcement of emission norms, and sustainable urban planning to combat Delhi’s chronic air pollution crisis.
