Delhi’s air quality plunged to a new low on Monday morning, reaching an alarming ‘severe’ category just days after Diwali. In areas like Anand Vihar, the Air Quality Index (AQI) spiked to 433, while the city’s overall AQI remained at hazardous levels. According to the IQAir website, PM 2.5 levels in Delhi-NCR were over 65 times higher than the WHO-recommended limit.
As of 7 am, several areas recorded ‘very poor’ AQI levels, including Alipur (385), IGI Airport (369), RK Puram (392), Mandir Marg (377), Pusa Road (353), Shadipur (378), and ITO (353). In regions such as Punjabi Bagh, Wazirpur, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Rohini, Moti Bagh, and Patparganj, AQI soared beyond 400, placing them in the ‘severe’ category.
Air quality also worsened in nearby cities, with AQI reaching 338 in Noida and 310 in Gurugram. Although post-Diwali pollution levels were slightly lower than anticipated, calm winds have led to persistently ‘very poor’ air quality. The smoke from firecrackers and stubble burning in nearby states has contributed significantly to the current pollution levels in Delhi during this season. Currently, Agra, Delhi, Sonipat, Ghaziabad, and Fatehpur Sikri rank among the most polluted cities.
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Despite anti-pollution measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP II), Delhi’s air quality has continued to decline. GRAP-II was implemented on October 21 after AQI dropped to the ‘very poor’ category. Following Diwali, a thick layer of smog enveloped the capital, pushing AQI from 327 to a staggering 507 due to slow winds and smoggy conditions. On Sunday, the city recorded its highest pollution levels of the season.
A survey revealed that at least 69 percent of families now report one or more members with respiratory issues as pollution rises. Health problems such as sore throats, breathing difficulties, and persistent coughs are becoming more common, heightening health concerns amid the worsening air quality in Delhi-NCR.