Delhi residents woke up to a thick blanket of smog on Monday morning. The air quality index remained in the severe category, causing significant visibility issues across the city.
AQI Readings Show Deterioration
The Central Pollution Control Board recorded an AQI of 455 in Delhi. This marks a worsening from Sunday's reading of 444, which was already in the severe range. On Saturday, the AQI stood at 400 in the very poor category.
Neighboring Cities Also Affected
Noida experienced a similar decline in air quality. Its average AQI rose from 388 to 430 on Sunday. Gurgaon fared slightly better with an AQI of 378, though this was higher than the previous day's 360.
Visibility Challenges Across Delhi
Many areas reported low visibility due to the dense smog. Travelers faced difficulties navigating the city. Visuals from near the Akshardham temple in Pandav Nagar showed the iconic structure barely visible through the haze.
Dhaula Kuan was shrouded in dense fog on the chilly morning. The Delhi–Meerut Expressway also saw reduced visibility. Commuters braved harsh winter conditions as the cold wave gripped the national capital.
Authorities Implement Strict Measures
The Commission for Air Quality Management invoked Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan. This includes several anti-pollution measures for Delhi-NCR.
- Hybrid mode for schools and offices
- Restrictions on construction work
- Ban on entry of polluting vehicles
Weather Conditions Add to Challenges
According to the India Meteorological Department, Delhi's maximum temperature settled at 22.7 degrees Celsius on Sunday. This was about 3 degrees above normal. The minimum temperature was 5.3 degrees Celsius, 2.3 degrees below normal.
The combination of severe air pollution and cold weather created challenging conditions for residents. The smog layer covered parts of Delhi NCR throughout the morning hours.
