Delhi’s AQI Slips to ‘Very Poor’ Category

The national capital, Delhi, grapples with deteriorating air quality as the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped into the ‘Very Poor’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The city woke up to a lazy Sunday under a thick layer of fog, further exacerbating the pollution crisis.

At 8 am, the RK Puram-Munirka area recorded an alarming AQI of 345, placing it firmly in the ‘Very Poor’ range. Anand Vihar, another prominent location, reported an AQI of 315 at the same time, as per CPCB data. Visuals from Munirka Metro station depicted low visibility due to the dense fog that shrouded the area.

The deteriorating air quality extended across the city, with ITO registering an AQI of 324, and Dhaula Kuan also hovering in the ‘Very Poor’ category, as reported by the CPCB. This comes after a brief period of relief brought by rains, as the overall AQI in the national capital had temporarily improved.

On Friday morning, the CPCB pegged the overall AQI at Anand Vihar at a concerning 374, bringing attention back to the persistent air quality challenges faced by Delhiites. Thursday’s overall air quality had been recorded in the ‘Poor’ range, with SAFAR-India reporting an AQI of 276.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasted no likelihood of showers in the national capital until December 11, predicting clear skies with shallow to moderate fog in the morning. However, the city has been grappling with air quality ranging from ‘severe’ to ‘very poor’ over the last few weeks.

In anticipation of worsening conditions, the IMD issued a fog alert for isolated areas across five states, including north Madhya Pradesh, sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, and Meghalaya on December 10 and 11. The neighboring city of Aligarh in Uttar Pradesh was also enveloped in thick fog on Sunday morning.

As Delhi navigates this challenging combination of air pollution and dense fog, authorities and residents are urged to take precautions to safeguard health and well-being. The ongoing air quality crisis underscores the need for sustainable measures to address the root causes of pollution in the region.