Delhi residents woke up to a thick smog blanket on Saturday morning, signaling a severe air quality crisis across the National Capital Region. Despite the implementation of Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which includes stringent measures to combat pollution, air quality has remained hazardous. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi stood at 389 at 10 am, dangerously close to the ‘Severe’ category threshold of 401. This alarming situation necessitates urgent action and adherence to pollution control protocols. Several areas within the city recorded AQI levels above 400, posing significant health risks. Wazirpur emerged as the most affected locality, registering an AQI of 450. Other heavily polluted zones included Bawana (443), Rohini (426), Anand Vihar (426), Mundka (425), and Jahangirpuri (423). These high AQI readings underscore the immediate threat to public health, particularly for vulnerable populations with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. The previous day’s average AQI of 387 indicates a persistent decline in air quality throughout the week. Meteorological conditions, including slow winds and lower temperatures, are exacerbating the problem by trapping pollutants near the ground. Experts predict further dips in wind speed, potentially prolonging the period of elevated pollution levels.
