Delhi-NCR air pollution: 'Not a hill station,' says internet as smog struggles return

Delhi air pollution: Non-essential construction work in Delhi-NCR has been banned because of the rising smog and pollution levels.

Delhi and nearby areas woke up to a thick layer of smog for the second straight day on Friday, with the air quality in the national capital dipping to the “severe" category. Several residents and visitors to the national capital region (NCR) took to social media to share how bad the air quality was.

“This is no hill station, this is Gurgaon. Never experienced Delhi smog first hand. Until today - visibility is so poor and air quality is so terrible; people have already started to wear masks. And its going to get a lot worse,” X (formerly Twitter) user Keshav Lohia wrote, along with photos of the Gurgaon cityscape shrouded in smog.

This is no hill station, this is Gurgaon. Never experienced Delhi smog first hand. Until today - visibility is so poor and air quality is so terrible; people have already started to wear masks. And its going to get a lot worse.. pic.twitter.com/1g5ZyVzhCO

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— Keshav Lohia (@Keshav_Lohiaa) November 3, 2023

On Thursday, air pollution levels in the national capital entered the "severe" zone for the first time this season, with scientists warning of a further spike over the next two weeks. The hazardous levels of polluted air promoted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to declare that all government and private primary schools in Delhi will remain closed for the next two days. 

The Kejriwal government has called an emergency meeting on Friday to review the situation. The city's AQI (air quality index) reached 402 at 5 pm on Thursday, the worst this season so far.

Delhi smog has dimmed the mightiness of the Sun... pic.twitter.com/bPprP0G1tW

— MJ (@maojay1515) November 3, 2023

The Delhi airport and the Delhi-Meerut Expressway too were covered in a thick blanket of smog on Friday morning.

#DelhiAirPollution #pollution #DelhiPollution #DelhiAirQuality #delhichoking #smog
This is Delhi at 7am today! pic.twitter.com/kgViGa2SbR

— Bhavani Giddu (@bgiddu) November 3, 2023

6:40am visibility on Delhi-Meerut expressway ! #AQI #smog pic.twitter.com/pRiIx96Hk7

— Meenakshi Kandwal (@MinakshiKandwal) November 3, 2023

Delhi's air pollution and the annual smog crisis remained the top trend on the internet as people shared their concerns.

Delhi is the "most polluted megacity in the world" with annual average particulate pollution of 126.5 micrograms per cubic metre. Doctors have warned of potential rise in lung and respiratory problems, including common cold, during this season.

Air pollution has worsened in Delhi in the last decade, as smoke from seasonal crop burn off, clubbed with colder winter temperatures and vehicular and industrial pollution lead to the formation of stagnant clouds of smog.