New Delhi woke up to hazardous air quality on Monday as the city remained engulfed in heavy smog, with several areas recording “severe” pollution levels. According to the Sameer app, the city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 366 at 7:05 a.m., while the Narela monitoring station reported the highest reading of 418. Other hotspots included Anand Vihar, Bawana, Jahangirpuri, Mundka, Rohini, and Wazirpur.
Even relatively cleaner parts of Delhi offered little relief, with Dilshad Garden recording an AQI of 301, still in the “very poor” category. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) categorizes AQI between 301-400 as “very poor” and 401-500 as “severe,” conditions that can aggravate respiratory issues, especially among children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing health conditions.
The dense smog significantly affected visibility across the city, prompting the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport to issue a passenger advisory. Airport authorities confirmed that low-visibility procedures were in place, and passengers were advised to stay in contact with airlines for updates on possible flight delays, although operations continued normally.
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Weather conditions added to the pollution woes. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast moderate fog throughout the day, with maximum and minimum temperatures expected to hover around 21°C and 9°C, respectively. On Sunday, Delhi recorded a minimum of 9.4°C, slightly above the seasonal average, while the maximum temperature settled at 18.1°C.
Authorities continue to urge residents to limit outdoor exposure, wear masks, and use air purifiers indoors. With the pollution levels persisting, health experts warn of long-term risks if precautionary measures are not followed, stressing the urgent need for mitigation strategies to reduce vehicular and industrial emissions in the city.
Also Read: Dense Smog Reduces Visibility in Delhi, Triggers Travel Disruptions