Delhi gasps for breath with 'very poor' air quality; AQI breaches 330 in national capital

Delhi’s recent surge in pollution has been largely attributed to stubble-burning from neighboring states, residual Diwali smoke, and low wind speeds, making for nearly two weeks of unhealthy air quality.

Delhi woke up to another morning of toxic air on Sunday as the city’s air quality lingered in the "very poor" range, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 334, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Key areas, including Alipur, Anand Vihar, Jahangirpuri, Rohini, and Bawana, remained in the "very poor" AQI category, indicating hazardous pollution levels.

According to data from SAFAR-India, several areas in Delhi reported concerning AQI levels, including Anand Vihar (351), Bawana (383), CRRI Mathura Road (323), Dwarka Sector 8 (341), IGI Airport (326), ITO (328), Lodhi Road (319), Mundka (358), Najafgarh (341), New Moti Bagh (394), Okhla Phase-2 (339), RK Puram (368), and Wazirpur (366).

In the heart of the city, visuals from Kartavya Path showed India Gate blanketed by thick smog, with an AQI of 357 recorded at 7 am. The haze also blanketed high-rise buildings in Kalindi Kunj and surrounding areas, where the AQI was measured at 323. The alarming air quality highlights the ongoing pollution crisis in the capital.

The AQI scale classifies air quality as 0-50 is “good,” 51-100 is “satisfactory,” 101-200 is “moderate,” 201-300 is “poor,” 301-400 is “very poor,” and 401-500 is “severe.”

Delhi’s recent surge in pollution has been largely attributed to stubble-burning from neighboring states, residual Diwali smoke, and low wind speeds, making for nearly two weeks of unhealthy air quality. Health experts have noted that even individuals without a history of respiratory issues are now experiencing breathing difficulties due to prolonged exposure to the smog-laden air.

Early this week, a thick layer of smog had enveloped the capital again, pushing the AQI up to 358, keeping Delhi firmly in the "very poor" category, as per CPCB data. The national capital has been facing persistently high pollution levels over the past few weeks, which officials attribute to a combination of stubble-burning in neighboring states, post-Diwali pollution, and low wind speeds. The "very poor" air quality classification has been consistent since Friday, marking a prolonged period of hazardous air for the city.