A sharp spike in Delhi’s air pollution was witnessed in the past 24 hours
New Delhi: Delhi residents experienced yet another smog-laden morning, with a dense layer of white haze enveloping the city. The air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 432 at 6 am, categorizing it as “severe,” as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The heavy smog is anticipated to hinder visibility, potentially affecting flights to and from various destinations around Delhi. At 5:30 am, both Amritsar and Pathankot airports in Punjab reported zero visibility, while visibility at Gorakhpur airport in Uttar Pradesh also fell to zero by 7 am.
Earlier in the day, Indigo Airlines issued a travel advisory via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), advising passengers to monitor their flight statuses due to possible delays attributed to “winter fog.”
“This morning, winter fog may affect flights to/from Amritsar, Varanasi, and Delhi. Please check your flight status before proceeding to the airport. Additionally, allow for extra travel time as road traffic may be slower than usual due to reduced visibility. We appreciate your understanding and wish you a pleasant journey,” the advisory stated.
In the last 24 hours, Delhi has seen a significant increase in air pollution, with 30 out of 36 monitoring stations reporting a severe air quality index. Chandigarh, located 250 km from Delhi, also recorded a severe AQI of 415.
The smog has severely impacted nearby areas, with Ghaziabad reporting an AQI of 378, Noida at 372, and Gurugram at 323, all falling into the “very poor” air quality category.
Prolonged exposure to “very poor” air quality can lead to respiratory issues, while a severe AQI can adversely affect even healthy individuals and significantly impact those with pre-existing health conditions.
However, due to stronger winds, a decrease in pollutant concentration and a subsequent decline in AQI is anticipated starting today, with expectations that the AQI will revert to the “very poor” category, according to a report from the India Meteorological Department and IITM.
On Wednesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) reached a “severe” level for the first time this season. The Commission for Air Quality Management characterized the “unprecedentedly dense fog” as an “episodic event.”
It was determined that a vigilant monitoring of the situation would be maintained prior to implementing the strict measures outlined in Stage-III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
