For the third consecutive day, Delhi residents woke up to a hazardous blanket of air, grappling with a combination of dense morning fog and a persistent layer of toxic smog. The national capital continued to struggle for breath under severe pollution levels, with minimal signs of relief.
Pollution Levels Show Minor Dip But Remain Severe
The city's average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 427 on Monday, which falls firmly in the 'severe' category. This marked a slight improvement from Sunday's alarming severe-plus reading of 461. However, this minor decline offered no substantial respite to the city's inhabitants. The data reveals a grim picture: 28 out of Delhi's 39 air quality monitoring stations reported readings in the 'severe' zone. While this number is lower than the 38 stations in the red zone on Sunday, it underscores the widespread nature of the crisis.
Weather Conditions Worsen the Smog Trap
Meteorological factors played a crucial role in exacerbating the situation. The season's first significant fog episode, coupled with cold temperatures and notably calm winds, created a stifling atmospheric lid over the city. These conditions prevented the effective dispersal of harmful pollutants, allowing them to accumulate near the ground. Consequently, peak pollution levels remained largely unchanged, especially during the morning hours, when the fog was at its densest.
No Major Relief in Sight
The persistent severe air quality poses significant health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory and cardiac conditions. The blend of fog and smog severely reduces visibility, disrupting road and air travel, while the high concentration of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) makes it dangerous to venture outdoors without protection. The situation highlights the ongoing environmental challenge Delhi faces every winter, where a combination of local emissions and unfavorable weather patterns leads to a public health emergency.
The current crisis underscores the urgent need for sustained and effective measures to tackle pollution sources year-round, rather than as a reactive response when AQI levels peak. For now, Delhiites must endure another day of gasping for clean air, with authorities advising caution and minimal outdoor activity.
