A thick, hazardous haze showed no signs of lifting from the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) on Sunday, plunging the area into another day of severe air pollution. Residents woke up to a familiar, grim reality as the air quality index (AQI) remained dangerously high, posing serious health risks.
Key Areas Gripped by Severe Pollution
According to the latest data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall AQI for the national capital was recorded at 385, a figure almost identical to Saturday's reading of 386. However, this city-wide average masked the extreme conditions in several localities. At 7 am, numerous monitoring stations reported AQI levels deep in the 'severe' category, which begins at 401.
The situation was particularly alarming in the following areas:
- Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 412.
- Bawana was at a critical 436.
- Burari reported 405.
- ITO registered 417.
- Punjabi Bagh saw a reading of 409.
- Wazirpur recorded a high of 435.
Other areas like Najafgarh (364) and IGI Airport (338) fared slightly better but still reported 'very poor' air quality.
NCR Cities Also Struggle to Breathe
The toxic blanket of smog was not confined to Delhi alone. Major cities in the National Capital Region reported equally dire conditions, with AQI levels firmly in the 'severe' zone.
- Noida recorded an AQI of 435.
- Greater Noida was even higher at 452.
- Ghaziabad reported a reading of 448.
- Gurgaon, with an AQI of 377, was in the 'very poor' category.
No Immediate Relief in Sight
The forecast offers little hope for residents desperate for cleaner air. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology has predicted that the air quality in Delhi-NCR will continue to linger in the 'severe' to 'very poor' range for the coming days. The persistent haze and calm winds are trapping pollutants close to the ground, creating a public health emergency. Authorities have yet to announce any significant measures to provide immediate respite from the choking conditions.
