Delhi Air Quality Plunges to ‘Very Poor’; Citizens Protest Amid Rising Health Fears
Delhi's air turns toxic as AQI surges to very poor levels.
The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi has been recorded at 385, categorizing the city's air as "very poor" according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) standards, which define the 301-400 range as hazardous to sensitive groups and potentially aggravating respiratory conditions. This measurement, derived from data across 38 monitoring stations via the Sameer app, underscores a persistent environmental crisis amid the winter season's onset, where stagnant weather exacerbates pollutant accumulation.
Of the monitored sites, 18 stations reported AQI levels in the "severe" category, exceeding thresholds that prompt emergency health advisories, while the remaining 20 stations hovered above 300, firmly within the "very poor" bracket. Such widespread deterioration reflects uneven but uniformly alarming air quality, with urban hotspots bearing the brunt of vehicular emissions, industrial outputs, and seasonal biomass burning from neighboring agricultural regions.
Public outrage manifested in organized protests at India Gate on Sunday, where citizens brandished placards decrying the administration's perceived inaction against the smog enveloping the capital. Demonstrators, including families and environmental activists, highlighted the invisible threat infiltrating daily life, from schoolchildren's playgrounds to commuters' thoroughfares, amplifying calls for stringent enforcement of anti-pollution protocols.
Also Read: Delhi Suffocates as Air Quality Hits ‘Severe’ Category; IMD Issues Cold-Wave Alerts Across India
Meteorological conditions have compounded the issue, with the minimum temperature dipping to 9°C—4.5°C below the seasonal norm—and humidity levels reaching 81% at 8:30 a.m., as per India Meteorological Department (IMD) observations. These factors have trapped fine particulate matter and gaseous pollutants close to the ground, impeding natural dispersion and intensifying the toxic haze that has become a recurrent hallmark of Delhi's winters.
Forecasts indicate a maximum temperature around 27°C under mainly clear skies, yet experts caution that without immediate interventions such as enhanced public transport usage and crop residue management, the AQI trajectory risks escalation into the "severe" zone, potentially surpassing 400 and necessitating school closures or construction halts to safeguard public health.
Also Read: Supreme Court Warns Of “Permanent Damage” As Delhi's Air Quality Hits Dangerous Lows
