Delhi's 'gas chamber' returns: Toxic smog sends AQI to ‘very poor’ 324, cold wave traps pollution

Delhi pollution

Delhi’s air quality remained firmly in the ‘very poor’ category on Friday, with the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 324. A thick layer of toxic smog was visible across the city, with visuals from Anand Vihar showing the area heavily engulfed, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) Sameer app.

Data from Sameer app painted a grim picture of widespread toxicity. Key areas reported far worse conditions: RK Puram at 374, Wazirpur at 358, Chandni Chowk at 352 and Anand Vihar at 348. Visuals from Anand Vihar depicted a thick, toxic smog enveloping the area, a sight now familiar to the city's residents during the winter months.

The pollution was not confined to Delhi’s boundaries. The broader National Capital Region (NCR) fared little better, with Noida recording an AQI of 333, Ghaziabad at 318 and Greater Noida at 304 - all firmly in the 'very poor' category, where an AQI between 301 and 400 is considered a serious health risk.

The capital's air quality has been volatile, swinging sharply in recent days. After recording 279 on November 30, it deteriorated to 304 on December 1, then spiked alarmingly to 372 on December 2, edging perilously close to the 'severe' category of 401-500. It stood at 342 on December 3 and 299 on December 4 before climbing back to 'very poor' levels. The Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi forecasts conditions will remain 'very poor' for the next several days.

Compounding the hazardous air are challenging meteorological conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted a mainly cloudy sky with shallow morning fog and isolated cold wave conditions for Friday, with minimum temperatures around 5 degrees Celsius. Winds are expected to remain sluggish, predominantly from the northwest at speeds below 12 kmph, doing little to disperse the entrenched pollutants.

The timing of this smog crisis underscores a troubling trend highlighted in a recent analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Its report, released earlier this week, assessed early winter and annual air quality trends, revealing growing toxicity and a worsening situation in the smaller towns of the NCR.

Critically, the CSE assessment pointed out that Delhi's air has deteriorated to the 'very poor' to 'severe' range this season despite a "significantly lower contribution from farm fires." This finding shifts the focus firmly onto local pollution sources within the city and the NCR, indicating the major impact of emissions from vehicles and other combustion sources. The report warned of a potential reversal of long-term air quality gains in the city.