A thick layer of smog enveloped Delhi on Sunday, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) into the ‘very poor’ category. The AQI registered 385, a slight improvement from Saturday’s 386, but still indicating severely compromised air quality. The visual impact was stark, with the India Gate monument obscured by dense smog, impacting outdoor activities for many.
Several areas in the capital are facing critical pollution levels. Rajghat and ITO recorded AQI values of 417, falling under the ‘severe’ classification. Anand Vihar, Alipur, and Ashok Vihar reported AQI levels between 400-415, also in the severe range. The Chandani Chowk area experienced an AQI of 420, with Dwarka at 378.
This air quality crisis is occurring as temperatures in Delhi are dropping significantly. The minimum temperature is expected to be between 9 and 11 degrees Celsius, following Saturday’s low of 9.7 degrees Celsius. The IMD has also issued advisories for other regions, anticipating cold wave conditions in parts of Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, alongside heavy rainfall alerts for Tamil Nadu.