Delhi’s smog crisis: AQI hits hazardous as residents struggle to breathe

Delhi and its neighboring areas awoke today to a blanket of thick smog, with air quality plummeting to near-hazardous levels. Residents of Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram are reporting breathing difficulties, as the Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital remains in the “very poor” category. The situation has worsened to the point that visibility has dropped to near zero in several parts of the city.

According to IQAir's live rankings, Delhi has overtaken Lahore, Pakistan, as the world’s most polluted city, with AQI levels exceeding 1,000 in some areas—a level marked as “hazardous.” However, data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows a range of AQI readings across the city, with Anand Vihar recording 413 at 10 a.m. today, up from 334 recorded at 4 p.m. yesterday.

The dense smog is exacerbated by Delhi's winter chill, which traps pollutants closer to the ground, intensifying health risks for residents. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that by 8 a.m., visibility had dropped to as low as 100 meters in some areas. At the Indira Gandhi International Airport, “low visibility procedures” were put in place, and some flights may experience delays, particularly those without advanced CAT III navigation systems.

This marks the 15th consecutive day that Delhi's air quality has remained in the “very poor” category. Vehicular emissions are a primary contributor to the pollution, with emissions accounting for up to 10% of air pollution over the next two days, according to environmental experts. Specific areas, like Anand Vihar and Aya Nagar, reported “severe” AQI levels, with particulate matter PM10 and PM2.5 posing serious respiratory health risks.

Additionally, seasonal farm fires have contributed to Delhi’s pollution woes, though specific data on crop-burning impact is yet to be published. Farm fires across neighboring states release harmful particulate matter that can travel vast distances, further worsening air quality in Delhi and surrounding areas. As of today, Delhi’s AQI remains among the worst in the country, trailing only behind cities like Hajipur, Chandigarh, and Patna.

Experts warn that Delhi’s persistent pollution is taking a toll on public health, contributing to respiratory illnesses such as asthma and bronchitis. Priyanka Singh from the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW) noted that the AQI has consistently exceeded 350 throughout November, with only a few exceptions when high wind speeds temporarily improved air quality.

Across the border, Pakistan’s Punjab province has implemented emergency measures to combat the toxic air, including closing schools, restricting outdoor activities, and ordering early closures of shops and markets. The situation highlights the shared air quality challenges in the region, as both countries battle dangerous pollution levels.