Delhi Chokes As AQI Hits ‘Severe Plus’ Category, Visibility Drops To 100 meter
Delhi Chokes As AQI Hits 'Severe Plus' Category, Visibility Drops To 100 meter
Delhi’s air quality has plummeted to hazardous levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to 485, classified as ‘severe-plus’, the highest since November 3, 2019 . The city’s 37 monitoring stations recorded AQI readings above 450, with neighboring regions like Noida, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram also experiencing varying levels of air pollution. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for dense fog, which has further exacerbated the situation by significantly reducing visibility to as low as 100 meters.
The severe air quality has prompted the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to invoke Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) in Delhi-NCR. As part of this plan, physical classes for students up to Class 9 have been suspended, and schools will hold online classes until further orders. The Delhi government has also imposed restrictions on construction and demolition activities, entry of trucks into Delhi, and light commercial vehicles registered outside Delhi.
The air quality crisis has also disrupted flight operations, causing widespread delays. Locals have described the city as a “gas chamber,” with breathing becoming increasingly difficult, especially for vulnerable populations. The cold wave has compounded the health crisis, making it essential for citizens to take necessary precautions. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), an AQI between 0-50 is considered ‘good’, 51-100 ‘satisfactory’, 101-200 ‘moderate’, 201-300 ‘poor’, 301-400 ‘very poor’, 401-450 ‘severe’, and above 450 ‘severe-plus’ .
Restrictions Under GRAP-IV
– Diesel-Powered Vehicles: Diesel-powered medium and heavy goods vehicles registered in Delhi (BS-IV or older) are prohibited unless transporting essential goods.
– Non-Essential Light Commercial Vehicles: Non-essential light commercial vehicles from outside Delhi are banned unless they operate on cleaner fuels like CNG, BS-VI diesel, or are electric.
– Truck Entry Restrictions: Entry of trucks carrying non-essential items into Delhi is restricted unless they run on LNG, CNG, or BS-VI diesel.
-Office Capacity: Offices in the NCR region have been advised to operate at 50% capacity, with the remaining staff working remotely.
Experts predict no significant change in the weather today, with Mahesh Palawat, vice president of Skymet, stating that “unless wind speeds pick up sufficiently, we will see a similar smog during the day, with little sunlight reaching the surface.” Delhi’s minimum temperature was recorded at 16.1°C on Monday morning, two degrees above normal, while the maximum temperature on Sunday was the lowest this season at 27.2°C.
The Delhi government’s decision to shift classes online and implement GRAP-IV restrictions aims to mitigate the health risks associated with the severe air quality. However, it’s essential for citizens to remain vigilant and take personal responsibility for reducing their contribution to pollution. By working together, Delhi can overcome this crisis and reclaim its right to clean air.
The situation remains critical, with the IMD predicting moderate to dense fog for the next few days. Citizens are advised to take necessary precautions, including wearing masks, avoiding outdoor activities, and using public transport or carpooling to reduce emissions. The government will continue to monitor the situation and take further measures to improve air quality.
