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Delhi-NCR woke up to a misty, smog-filled Chhath morning as devotees gathered under hazy skies. With AQI at 355 and no rain in sight, the air turned toxic for worshippers. Will tomorrow’s predicted showers finally bring relief?
Temperatures hovered between 24.1°C and 31.7°C.
New Delhi: Delhi-NCR began Monday- the main day of Chhath Puja wrapped in a layer of mist and smog. Early in the morning, thousands of devotees headed to the Yamuna ghats and artificial ponds to offer ‘Arghya’ to the rising Sun, but were met with low visibility and toxic air.
Temperatures hovered between 24.1°C and 31.7°C, and the Air Quality Index (AQI) shot up to 355, placing Delhi firmly in the “very poor” category. Health experts cautioned that such air quality could trigger respiratory distress, especially among women observing the 36-hour fast and elderly participants.
The experts suggested that calm winds and high humidity are preventing pollutants from dispersing. The air is essentially trapped.
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The weather was relatively mild 24°C in the morning, rising to around 31°C by afternoon — but the haze and lingering smog created discomfort for both worshippers and commuters.
At the Yamuna and Sanjay Lake ghats, many devotees performed rituals wearing masks, while volunteers sprayed water to settle the dust.
Officials from the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) said low wind speed (5.8 km/h) limited air circulation. “With such calm conditions, pollutant concentration stays near the surface — there’s barely any ventilation,” a DPCC officer noted.
Humidity levels fluctuated sharply from 34% in the morning, dipping to 17% by evening, and rising again to 50% at night, adding to the sticky, uncomfortable feel.
Across the NCR, the story was much the same. In Noida, morning mist and haze shrouded the Hindon ghats, where hundreds of devotees gathered with traditional offerings. Temperatures ranged between 24°C and 31°C, humidity hovered near 85%, and AQI touched 350 — again in the “very poor” range.
In Gurgaon, conditions were nearly identical temperatures from 23.5°C to 32°C and AQI above 340. Visibility remained poor through early morning hours, and no rainfall was forecast. Local residents complained that eyes and throats burned after prolonged exposure near open ponds and lakes.
Despite the grim air quality, the spirit of Chhath remained undeterred. Women clad in bright sarees, carrying baskets of fruits and sugarcane, lined up along the Yamuna floodplains at dawn.
However, doctors urged caution. As per the health experts, people with asthma, heart issues, or cough should avoid staying outdoors for long hours. The combination of smog and humidity is harsh on the lungs.
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There is a sliver of hope for relief. The IMD predicts a high of 29.2°C and low of 23.9°C on Tuesday, with an 87% chance of patchy rain in some parts of Delhi-NCR. If showers occur, they could temporarily wash away pollutants and clear the air.
Beyond that, the week looks mostly sunny though air quality may remain poor until winds pick up.
Meanwhile, Cyclone Montha Brews Over Bay of Bengal. While Delhi struggles with smog, the IMD is tracking Cyclone Montha, forming over the Bay of Bengal and expected to intensify by October 28. Red alerts have been sounded in parts of Andhra Pradesh, while Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal brace for heavy rains.
