The national capital woke up to a thick, toxic blanket of smog on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, as air quality across Delhi took a drastic turn for the worse. The Air Quality Index (AQI) plummeted into the 'severe' category in numerous localities, transforming the city's atmosphere into a serious public health hazard.
Widespread Deterioration Across Key Monitoring Stations
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) painted a grim picture of the escalating crisis. By the afternoon, several monitoring stations recorded AQI values deep within the severe zone, which begins at 401. The situation was particularly alarming in the following areas:
- New Moti Bagh: Recorded a staggering AQI of 478.
- Jahangirpuri: Registered an AQI of 466.
- ITO: Reported an AQI of 463.
- Pusa: Logged an AQI of 458.
- Lodhi Road: Recorded an AQI of 451.
Other major stations, including RK Puram, Anand Vihar, and Wazirpur, also reported AQI levels firmly in the 'severe' range, indicating a widespread and severe pollution episode affecting millions of residents.
SAFAR Forecast and Contributing Factors
The System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) had predicted this sharp decline. Their forecast indicated that the overall AQI for Delhi was likely to deteriorate further and remain in the 'severe' category on December 3rd. This forecast proved accurate as unfavourable meteorological conditions conspired with existing pollution sources.
The primary culprits behind this hazardous spike are believed to be a combination of local emissions and transboundary factors. Calm winds and low temperatures trapped pollutants close to the ground, preventing their dispersion. Additionally, the contribution from stubble burning in neighbouring states, though potentially reduced from peak levels, continued to add to the particulate matter load over the region, exacerbating the situation.
Immediate Health Risks and Advisory
An AQI in the 'severe' category, especially above 450, poses significant health risks even to healthy individuals. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and health experts have issued stern warnings. Exposure to such poor air quality can lead to:
- Respiratory distress and aggravated asthma.
- Increased risk of heart and lung diseases.
- Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.
- Reduced lung function and heightened vulnerability to infections.
The general advisory for a 'severe' AQI day is to avoid all outdoor physical activities. Experts recommend that children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions remain indoors as much as possible. If going outside is unavoidable, wearing N95 or N99 masks is considered essential to reduce exposure to harmful PM2.5 and PM10 particles.
The sudden and severe degradation of Delhi's air quality on December 3rd underscores the persistent and dangerous nature of the city's winter pollution challenge. It highlights the urgent need for sustained and effective measures to tackle both local and regional sources of pollution to safeguard public health.
