Delhi’s air quality has deteriorated sharply, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 361, a figure classified as ‘very poor’. A thick layer of pollution hangs over the city, signaling the onset of winter with a dangerous environmental challenge. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has reported this alarming average, underscoring the urgent need for air quality interventions.
Data from various monitoring stations across Delhi indicates widespread severe pollution, with numerous locations recording AQI values above 400. Wazirpur, Bawana, and Vivek Vihar are among the areas experiencing the worst air quality. Prominent hotspots include Rohini, Nehru Nagar, RK Puram, and ITO. The pollution levels are not confined to Delhi, as neighboring cities like Noida, Greater Noida, and Ghaziabad are also facing hazardous air quality, highlighting a regional environmental crisis.
Concurrent with the air pollution crisis, Delhi is experiencing a significant dip in temperatures, reaching 11 degrees Celsius, a clear indication of winter’s arrival. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a further decrease in minimum temperatures, with projections suggesting they could fall to around 10 degrees Celsius. Residents can anticipate clear days with morning mist and fog. While Delhi battles pollution and cold, IMD advisories also point to potential thunderstorms in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and cold wave conditions in parts of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.