New Delhi: Delhi-NCR is currently shrouded in thick smog, with air quality remaining in the ‘severe’ category for the third straight day as winter sets in. As of 7:15 AM, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 442 for Delhi, with many areas recording levels between 400 and 500.
Visibility has dramatically decreased, prompting low-visibility procedures at the Delhi airport due to conditions dropping to 300 meters.
Certain regions in Delhi have alarmingly high AQI levels, such as Anand Vihar (481), Ashok Vihar (461), and Burari Crossing (483), among others. Nearby areas in NCR are also facing poor air quality, with Faridabad in Haryana at 263, Gurugram at 392, and Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh at 390, while Greater Noida and Noida reported AQI levels of 330 and 364, respectively.
This severe air pollution coincides with cold weather, with humidity fluctuating between 100% and 66%. Some areas recorded minimum temperatures above 5 degrees Celsius, and calm winds contributed to shallow fog, exacerbating pollution.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that these smoggy conditions may persist in the coming days, with a potential worsening of the cold wave and continued low visibility in the mornings.
This situation highlights the urgent need for effective pollution control measures as residents face significant health risks. The CPCB categorizes an AQI above 400 as “severe,” indicating serious health threats to everyone, and authorities have urged strict implementation of anti-pollution initiatives while advising vulnerable groups to minimize outdoor activities. As winter deepens and pollution rises, Delhi-NCR’s struggle with smog continues to be a major concern.