A thin layer of smog blanketed parts of Delhi on Sunday morning as air quality remained critical, raising significant health concerns for residents. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recorded Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 364 at 7 a.m., firmly in the ‘very poor’ category, with certain regions reaching ‘severe’ levels.
The situation in New Moti Bagh, RK Puram, Vivek Vihar, Dwarka Sector 8, and Lodhi Road was especially concerning, with AQIs ranging from 330 to 388, all categorized as ‘very poor’ according to CPCB data. Anand Vihar and Nehru Nagar recorded AQIs of 431 and 427 respectively at 7 a.m., placing them in the ‘severe’ category—indicative of hazardous air quality with a high risk of respiratory and cardiovascular complications.
Residents are feeling the impact on their daily lives, with many voicing concerns about the immediate effects of pollution. Aditya, a local resident, described the discomfort, saying, “It is very difficult to breathe… this is not a time we can go out and do exercise; pollution is affecting our eyes.”
To address the escalating issue, Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced the deployment of 200 mobile anti-smog guns across the city. These mobile units will operate in three shifts, each covering eight hours, and will spray water to help control dust pollution in each assembly constituency. The initiative is part of the Delhi government’s multi-pronged approach to tackling various sources of pollution, including dust, vehicular emissions, and biomass burning.
“Whether it is dust pollution, vehicle pollution, or biomass burning, our teams are continuously working on targeting these three on the ground,” Rai told ANI.
While Delhi’s AQI readings showed no relief on Sunday, conditions had already been deteriorating from Saturday, when the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) recorded an AQI of 296. Certain areas, such as Anand Vihar and RK Puram, reported readings as high as 380 and 346, respectively, reflecting a prolonged exposure to dangerously high pollution levels.
Meanwhile, in Mumbai, air quality also dipped with a thick layer of smog covering the Marine Drive area, recording an AQI of 208, classified as ‘poor.’ Although the levels in Mumbai are less severe than Delhi, the ‘poor’ category still poses moderate health risks, particularly to sensitive groups.
The AQI categorization is a critical indicator for public health, with the ‘very poor’ range (301-400) considered particularly harmful, leading to respiratory issues even in healthy individuals. An AQI from 401-450 is deemed ‘severe,’ with the potential to affect entire populations, while readings above 450 are classified as ‘severe plus,’ an emergency level.
As Delhi’s air quality remains in a precarious state, authorities and residents alike are hoping for relief from pollution control efforts and favorable weather conditions.
(Inputs from ANI)
The Chenab Times News Desk