Delhi Wakes Up to Hazardous Smog, GRAP III Restrictions Lifted
Residents of India's capital city, Delhi, were greeted on Monday, November 27, by a dense and hazardous layer of smog, severely reducing visibility and casting a pall over the city. The air quality, however, showed a marginal improvement, prompting authorities to take a significant step.
GRAP Stage III Revoked Amid Improving Conditions
In a decisive move, the Commission for Air Quality Management's (CAQM) Sub-Committee has revoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) with immediate effect. The order, issued on Wednesday, cited that the Air Quality Index (AQI) has been improving over the past three days.
The decision was based on forecasts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), which predict the air quality will remain in the 'Very Poor' category in the coming days. The panel considered the disruptive nature of Stage-III restrictions and the consistent downward trend in pollution as key reasons for the withdrawal.
However, this is not a complete rollback of all measures. The Sub-Committee has directed that GRAP I and GRAP II measures will remain in force, and agencies must intensify their efforts to prevent pollution levels from slipping back into the 'Severe' range.
A Closer Look at the Alarming Pollution Data
Despite the official revocation of severe-stage curbs, the reality on the ground remains grim. According to data from the private tracker AQI.in, the AQI on Monday stood at a staggering 548, which falls into the 'Hazardous' category. In contrast, the government's Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) recorded a lower, yet still alarming, AQI of 349 ('Very Poor').
The most shocking comparison comes from AQI.in, which stated that breathing Delhi's air is as harmful as smoking 10 cigarettes a day. This alarming estimate is based on the average PM2.5 concentration over the preceding 24 hours, assuming continuous exposure.
The PM2.5 concentration, a primary pollutant, was measured at 345 µg/m³. This level is a staggering 23.03 times higher than the World Health Organization's (WHO) safe annual guideline of 15 µg/m³. Exposure to such high levels of PM2.5 is known to cause severe health issues, including stroke, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A recent satellite-based study reinforced Delhi's notorious status, naming it the most polluted state or union territory in India with an annual mean PM2.5 concentration of 101 µg/m³, which is more than 2.5 times the national safe limit.
City-Wide Health Crisis and Urgent Advisory
The pollution was not uniformly distributed, with several areas experiencing catastrophic air quality levels. Localities like Ashok Vihar (AQI 669), Chanakya Place (770), and Vasundhara Enclave (732) recorded readings deep in the 'Hazardous' zone. The crisis extended to the wider NCR, with Ghaziabad (630), Noida (743), Greater Noida (650), and Gurugram (529) also suffering from severely polluted air.
In response to the persistent health threat, authorities have issued a stern health advisory for all residents:
- Minimize outdoor exposure as much as possible.
- If going outside is unavoidable, wear a protective N-95 mask.
- Avoid all forms of outdoor exercise, including jogging, running, and yoga.
- Use air purifiers at home and in cars wherever available.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any breathing difficulties.
As a precaution, schools across Delhi have already suspended all outdoor activities for students. While the revocation of GRAP III offers a slight respite, the battle for clean air in Delhi is far from over.
