Delhi Faces 'Severe' Air Quality Crisis as Light Rain Fails to Alleviate Conditions
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New Delhi, Dec 24 (NationPress) The air quality in the national capital has deteriorated to the ‘severe’ level, with an average Air Quality Index (AQI) of 401 noted at 7 a.m. on Tuesday, even after a brief period of light rain.
The highest AQI reading was observed at the Bawana station with a value of 455, while the IHBAS Dilshad Garden station documented the lowest at 222, categorizing it as “poor.” Notable areas such as Rohini (451), Anand Vihar (442), and Punjabi Bagh (431) also reported ‘severe’ air quality, while Shadipur registered the lowest in the “very poor” category at 360.
Compounding environmental concerns, Delhi woke up to a cold morning with a minimum temperature of 10.8 degrees Celsius recorded at 5:30 a.m. The light rain and drop in temperatures have further emphasized the winter chill. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a generally cloudy sky with a chance of light rain or drizzle, and a yellow alert for fog has been issued. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to be around 20 and 8 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Thick fog has continued to envelop parts of the city, significantly impairing visibility.
Despite the activation of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the NCR since December 16, air quality remains hazardous. GRAP Stage IV consists of the most stringent measures aimed at reducing pollution levels.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), AQI levels from 401 to 450 are classified as “severe,” while levels above 450 fall into the “severe plus” category.
The Supreme Court has recently instructed Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to implement a firecracker ban similar to that of Delhi’s and stressed the need for strict enforcement of GRAP and the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. The apex court also mandated NCR states to station teams at entry points to Delhi to ensure compliance with GRAP IV measures.
Residents have increasingly reported health issues related to pollution, including respiratory ailments and eye irritation. The combination of thick fog and toxic air has made life difficult for the people of Delhi, prompting many to call for stronger and more effective measures to tackle the ongoing crisis.
