Delhi residents woke up to severe air pollution on Thursday morning (November 14), with thick smog covering the city and reducing visibility. This comes just a day after Delhi recorded the worst Air Quality Index (AQI) in the country, causing concern about the health of residents.

What is the AQI?

The Air Quality Index (AQI) measures the level of pollutants in the air. It helps people understand how clean or polluted the air is. The AQI in Delhi’s Anand Vihar was recorded at 473 at 5am on Thursday, which is classified as “severe plus.” This means the air quality is extremely dangerous and can cause serious health problems.

On Wednesday, the AQI crossed the “severe” category for the first time this season. A dense fog trapped pollutants, making the situation worse. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) said this fog was “unprecedentedly dense” and called it an “episodic event.”

Areas Most Affected

Some of the areas with the worst air quality in Delhi include Aya Nagar, Ashok Vihar, and Wazirpur. In these places, the AQI level went over 400, which falls under the “severe” category.

The CPCB reported that at 10am on Thursday, the AQI in Anand Vihar was 466, and it worsened throughout the day. By 4pm, the AQI was recorded at 418 and by 9pm on Wednesday, it reached 454.

Measures to Control Pollution

The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has not yet enforced Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Stage 3 includes stricter measures like stopping construction and demolition activities, and suspending in-person classes for primary schools.

Although the air quality is extremely bad, the CAQM said that they would monitor the situation and reassess whether Stage 3 needs to be enforced. The CAQM is hopeful that with stronger winds expected on Thursday, the air pollution will decrease, and the AQI will return to the “very poor” category, which is slightly less harmful than “severe.”

What Does This Mean for Schools?

If the AQI remains in the “severe” category on Thursday, authorities may decide to close schools. The CAQM can also impose a ban on certain vehicles and construction work. This is because Stage 3 of the GRAP aims to reduce pollution and protect public health.

Temperature Drop and Fog

On Wednesday, Delhi also experienced its lowest daytime temperature of the season, dropping from 32.8°C on Tuesday to 27.8°C on Wednesday. This sudden temperature change, along with the thick fog, helped trap the pollutants in the air, making the situation worse.

AQI Categories

The AQI is measured in different categories:

• 0 to 50: Good
• 51 to 100: Satisfactory
• 101 to 200: Moderate
• 201 to 300: Poor
• 301 to 400: Very Poor
• 401 to 450: Severe
• Above 450: Severe Plus

An AQI in the “severe” and “severe plus” categories can cause health problems even for healthy individuals. People are advised to avoid going outside in such conditions.

What’s Next?

The situation in Delhi is still being closely watched. If the air quality does not improve, authorities may introduce further restrictions. These may include a ban on certain vehicles (like BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles) and even stricter measures under the Graded Response Action Plan.

Delhi’s air quality has been a problem for many years, especially during the winter months. Residents are advised to stay indoors as much as possible, wear masks, and use air purifiers to reduce the impact of the pollution. The government and environmental agencies continue to work on long-term solutions to improve air quality and protect the health of the city’s people.