A combination of winter chill, severe air pollution, and dense fog has created a critical situation in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR). Authorities have issued an alert for extremely dense fog for two consecutive days, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) surpassing 450 in various areas, posing significant health risks. The situation deteriorated as visibility dropped to zero in many locations, leading to disruptions in road, rail, and air traffic on Monday night.
According to data from air quality monitoring stations, AQI levels were alarmingly high in different parts of Delhi. Readings showed AQI values of 451 in Anand Vihar, 433 in Ashok Vihar, 446 in Rohini, 449 in Wazirpur, and 432 in Chandni Chowk, all falling under the ‘very poor’ category. The situation is equally concerning in neighboring cities like Noida and Ghaziabad, where AQI levels remain high, indicating severe pollution levels.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted “extremely dense fog” in the morning hours of December 30, followed by “dense fog” persisting till the afternoon. With maximum temperatures at 21 degrees Celsius and minimums dropping to 8 degrees Celsius, humidity levels have hit 100 per cent, exacerbating the foggy conditions. The IMD has also issued a warning for dense fog on the morning of December 31, with a possibility of light rain or drizzle on January 1, offering some respite from the pollution and fog.
