The national capital's air quality continued its dangerous descent on Sunday, inching perilously close to the 'Severe' category. The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) for Delhi was recorded at 390, a worrying increase from 385 the previous day.
Multiple Stations in Severe Zone, Anand Vihar Tops Chart
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) Sameer application painted a grim picture across the city. A total of 19 monitoring stations in Delhi reported air quality in the 'Severe' category. The situation was most critical at Anand Vihar, which recorded a staggering AQI of 457. Neighbouring regions also suffered, with Noida's air quality remaining in the 'Severe' category at an AQI of 419, up from 409. Gurugram witnessed a significant plunge into the 'Very Poor' category, with its AQI jumping to 352 from 299.
Transport Remains Top Polluter, Temperatures Dip
While data from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology's (IITM) Decision Support System for Delhi was not updated for Sunday, Saturday's figures highlighted the primary sources of pollution. Transport emissions were the leading contributor to Delhi's PM2.5 concentration at 16.22%, followed by industrial sector emissions at 8.4%. Residential sources accounted for approximately 4%, while waste burning, construction, and road dust together contributed around 5%.
The weather brought little relief. The city shivered at a minimum temperature of 6.3 degrees Celsius, which was 0.5 degrees below the seasonal average. The maximum temperature was recorded at 22.5 degrees Celsius, 2.1 degrees above normal.
Meteorological Department Issues Fog Alert
Adding to the concerns, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for very dense fog in Delhi for Monday. The alert warns residents of likely visibility issues. The forecast predicts maximum and minimum temperatures to hover around 22 and 7 degrees Celsius, respectively. The combination of poor air quality and dense fog is expected to significantly impact visibility and respiratory health, urging citizens, especially those with pre-existing conditions, to take necessary precautions and limit outdoor exposure.
