Thick smog combined with fog trapped pollutants near the surface, reducing visibility and disrupting daily life as residents woke up to chilly conditions
Representational Image
Air quality in the national capital continued to remain hazardous on Sunday, posing serious health risks to residents. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi touched 391, entering the ‘severe’ category, with several localities recording AQI levels above 400, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Thick smog combined with fog trapped pollutants near the surface, reducing visibility and disrupting daily life as residents woke up to chilly conditions.
Several areas reported severe pollution levels, with Anand Vihar recording an AQI of 445, Patparganj 425, Nehru Nagar 433, Shadipur 445, Mundka 413, and the IGI Airport area 320, indicating widespread deterioration in air quality.
As per CPCB categorisation, AQI values between 0–50 are considered ‘good’, 51–100 ‘satisfactory’, 101–200 ‘moderate’, 201–300 ‘poor’, 301–400 ‘very poor’, and 401–500 ‘severe’.
Minimum temperature drops to 6.3 degrees Celsius
The minimum temperature settled at 6.3 degrees Celsius, 0.5 notches below the season's average, while the humidity was recorded at 71 per cent at 8.30 am, according to the India Meteorological Department.
The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 21 degrees Celsius, with the weather department forecasting mainly clear skies.
Authorities said pollution levels are being closely monitored and enforcement measures such as the ‘No PUC, No Fuel’ rule are in place to curb vehicular emissions. The Commission for Air Quality Management has also invoked Stage IV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which include restrictions on construction activities and certain industrial operations.
Experts attributed the persistent smog to a combination of cold weather, calm winds, and dense fog, which is preventing the dispersion of pollutants. Similar conditions are expected to prevail in the coming days, prompting calls for sustained and stricter pollution-control measures.
On Saturday morning, Delhi’s AQI was in the ‘very poor’ category, crossing the 300 mark in several areas, before worsening further by evening and slipping into the ‘severe’ range.
Meanwhile, the Delhi Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, approved a series of decisions aimed at strengthening the capital’s fight against pollution and improving environmental governance. The Cabinet sanctioned an allocation of Rs 100 crore for the rejuvenation of water bodies in the city. Of the nearly 1,000 water bodies in Delhi, around 160 fall under the jurisdiction of the Delhi government.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said the initiative would play a key role in pollution control. “The rejuvenation of Delhi’s water bodies will significantly contribute to improving environmental quality. The Chief Minister has directed that all necessary financial support be provided to complete the work within the year,” he said.
The Cabinet also approved the establishment of Delhi’s first e-waste park at Holambi Kalan, spread over 11.5 acres. The facility will operate on a 100 per cent circular, zero-waste model while adhering to the highest pollution-control standards.
(With inputs from Agencies)
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