The India Meteorological Department handed out a cold wave warning as temperatures dropped sharply. The city’s 24-hour average AQI reached 437, with multiple stations noting exceptionally dangerous readings.
Toxic smog and a fall in temperature
According to NDTV, the residents of Delhi woke up to concerning air quality levels. A thick blanket of toxic smog and dense fog covered the national capital. This is currently pushing pollution levels into the 'severe' category. The situation deteriorated further with a sharp dip in temperatures, provoking the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to hand out a cold wave alert across several parts of the city.
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According to IMD data, Delhi's primary weather station at Safdarjung recorded a minimum temperature of 4.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while Ayanagar registered a low of 4.9 degrees Celsius.
AQI categorised as ‘severe’
Delhi's air quality continued to deteriorate sharply. The city's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) was documented at 437 at 6:30 a.m on Sunday. It can be categorised as 'severe', according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). There were other monitoring stations, which reported AQI levels surpassing 450, therefore placing them in the 'severe+' category. The areas such as Wazirpur, Sonia Vihar, Rohini, RK Puram, Punjabi Bagh, Patparganj, North Campus, Nehru Nagar, Mundka, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Dwarka Sector 8, Chandni Chowk, Burari Crossing, Bawana, Ashok Vihar, and Anand Vihar recorded extremely hazardous air quality levels.
The collective effect of severe air pollution, dense fog, and cold wave conditions might lead to several health concerns, particularly for children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues. The administration continues to monitor the condition closely as winter intensifies across the region.
