A thick, toxic blanket of smog dramatically reduced visibility across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) on Sunday night, plunging the mega-city into a hazardous haze. The severe pollution episode, coupled with biting winter temperatures, has raised significant health and safety concerns for millions of residents.
City Grinds to a Halt in Hazardous Haze
Visuals from key locations like the AIIMS flyover and Noida's Sector 37 depicted a grim scene, with vehicles struggling to navigate through the dense, greyish smog. The dual challenge of intensifying pollution and cold weather conditions has created a critical situation. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for very dense fog on Monday, warning commuters of severely restricted visibility on major highways and roads.
The mercury has been dipping steadily, adding to the discomfort. While maximum temperatures are expected around 22°C, the minimum is likely to hover near 7°C. On Sunday night, the minimum temperature recorded was 6.3 degrees Celsius, which is slightly below the normal average for this time of the season.
Air Quality Plummets, Health Advisory Issued
The city's overall air quality index (AQI) firmly settled into the 'Very Poor' category, with several monitoring stations reporting alarming readings. Areas like Anand Vihar recorded hazardous AQI levels surpassing 400, indicating severe risk to public health. In response, authorities have urgently advised vulnerable groups—including children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing respiratory or heart conditions—to limit outdoor exposure and stay indoors as much as possible.
GRAP Stage III Curbs Activated to Combat Crisis
To tackle the escalating pollution, authorities have implemented measures under Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). Key restrictions now in force include:
- A ban on most construction and demolition activities.
- Curbs on certain types of industrial operations.
- Strict enforcement of the 'No PUC, No Fuel' rule at petrol pumps to control vehicular emissions.
Environmental and weather experts have cautioned that the prevailing calm winds and low temperatures are likely to trap pollutants near the ground. This meteorological pattern suggests that the poor air quality is expected to persist over the coming days, requiring sustained public caution and adherence to official guidelines.
