Air Pollution Crisis: Delhi-NCR Chokes as AQI Reaches ‘Severe’ Levels, Major Health Risk Reported
National Desk: The air quality across Delhi-NCR has worsened sharply amid cold winds and falling temperatures. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature over the next seven days will hover around 13°C, with chilly morning and evening winds intensifying the winter feel. There is currently no forecast of rain, and the weather is expected to remain a mix of fog and smog.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) monitoring report shows that several areas of Delhi have recorded Air Quality Index (AQI) readings in the ‘severe’ category.
- Alipur: 355
- Anand Vihar: 359
- Ashok Vihar: 363
- Bawana: 403
- Burari: 376
- Karni Singh Shooting Range: 342
The situation in the NCR region is equally alarming.
- Ghaziabad: Indirapuram – 271, Loni – 336, Sanjay Nagar – 269, Vasundhara – 368
- Noida: Sector 125 – 328, Sector 62 – 323, Sector 1 – 326, Sector 116 – 333
Experts warn that prolonged exposure to this level of pollution can pose serious respiratory and lung-related health risks, especially for children, the elderly, and asthma patients. The IMD and health officials explained that falling temperatures and slower wind speeds are causing pollutant particles to accumulate near the surface. The combination of fog and smog has made the haze denser.
The main causes of this worsening air quality are construction dust, vehicular emissions, and road dust, which continue to trap toxic particles in the city’s air.
