New Delhi, Dec 23
The national capital continues to grapple with toxic air quality. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded was 403 at 7:30 a.m. on Monday which falls in the 'severe' category.
A thin layer of fog blanketed the city, reducing visibility, while the minimum temperature dropped to 9.2 degrees Celsius at 5:30 a.m., according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). A cloudy sky with light rain is expected later in the day, offering a ray of hope for some relief from the pollution.
Several areas in Delhi reported alarming AQI levels, including Wazirpur (464), Ashok Vihar (460), Mundka (446), Burari Crossing (445), and Anand Vihar (443). Notably, air quality in Dwarka-Sector 8 (393) and Najafgarh (372) hovered just below the ‘severe’ threshold.
On Sunday, PM2.5 levels (Particulate Matter), a major pollutant, remained dangerously high, with 37 out of 39 monitoring stations recording ‘severe plus’ air quality.
PM 2.5 particles, small enough to penetrate deep into the lungs, pose severe health risks, particularly for vulnerable groups.
Amid worsening pollution, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage IV measures have been enforced across the National Capital Region (NCR) since December 16.
These emergency steps aim to curb pollution but have had limited immediate impact.