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The situation was so bad that visibility at Safdarjung Airport was recorded at just 200 meters at 8 AM, while at Palam Airport it was 350 meters. There was no significant improvement even by 8:30 AM. Vehicles crawled on the roads, and flight operations were also affected.
Next 2 days in Delhi will be extremely bad
New Delhi: The sluggish wind speed and deteriorating weather have once again turned the capital city of Delhi into a gas chamber. On Sunday, for the second consecutive day, Delhi's air quality was recorded in the 'severe' category, making it the most polluted day of the season so far. Not only Delhi, but the capital city also ranked as the third most polluted city in the entire country. The day began with haze and dense fog, and a thick blanket of smog persisted throughout the day, severely reducing visibility in many areas.
The situation was so bad that visibility at Safdarjung Airport was recorded at just 200 meters at 8 AM, while at Palam Airport it was 350 meters. There was no significant improvement even by 8:30 AM. Vehicles crawled on the roads, and flight operations were also affected.
People were seen wearing N95 masks to protect themselves from the pollution. Many complained of burning eyes, sore throats, and difficulty breathing. The problems for asthma and respiratory patients worsened. On Sunday, Delhi's average Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 461, which falls in the 'severe' category. This was about 30 points higher than Saturday.
The situation remained alarming in the National Capital Region (NCR) as well. Noida was the most polluted city, with an AQI of 466. Ghaziabad recorded 459, Greater Noida 435, and Gurugram 291. The only relief was for Faridabad, where the AQI was recorded at 218, which is in the 'poor' category, but considered better compared to other cities.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), on Sunday, the wind blew from the west at a speed of only 5 kilometers per hour. The maximum mixing depth was 800 meters, preventing pollutants from dispersing upwards. At 3 PM, the concentration of PM10 was recorded at 448.2 and PM2.5 at 294.2 micrograms per cubic meter, which is several times higher than the normal levels. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) estimates that the air quality could reach the "very poor" category between Monday and Tuesday. This could lead to health problems such as coughing, eye irritation, headaches, itching, and difficulty breathing.
According to experts, the wind speed in Delhi is generally remaining below 10 kilometers per hour. As the temperature drops, pollutant particles linger in the atmosphere for longer periods. Meteorologists believe that Delhi residents are unlikely to get any significant relief from the polluted air for the next three to four days.
According to Mahesh Palawat, Vice President of Skymet, the wind speed has decreased significantly due to the influence of a Western Disturbance. In the cold air, vehicle emissions, construction dust, and other pollutants remain trapped near the ground. Unable to disperse upwards, these pollutants accumulate, making the air even more toxic.
