Delhi: Delhi woke up to another suffocating morning on Tuesday as a dense layer of smog engulfed the city, pushing pollution levels back into the ‘very poor’ range. The city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) climbed to 363, showing almost no relief despite the stringent restrictions already imposed under Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage-III.
Pollution Levels Spike Across Delhi-NCR
Multiple neighbourhoods in the capital reported severe air quality, with several monitoring stations breaching the 400 mark. Areas such as Wazirpur (400), Anand Vihar (401), RK Puram (390), Punjabi Bagh (391) and ITO (384) recorded hazardous readings. Visibility remained extremely low around hospitals such as AIIMS and Safdarjung, raising safety concerns for patients and commuters.
Conditions were even worse in the surrounding NCR districts, where the AQI soared to 456 in Noida, 455 in Greater Noida, 454 in Ghaziabad, and 444 in Faridabad. Gurugram recorded an AQI of 404, also in the ‘severe’ category.
Restrictions Tighten Under GRAP-III
With the capital gasping for clean air, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has reinforced GRAP-III norms. Government and private offices have been instructed to operate at 50% capacity, while the rest of the staff must work from home. Essential services — including hospitals, emergency response teams and public transport — remain exempted to prevent disruptions.
Doctors have issued fresh health advisories, warning that prolonged exposure may trigger coughing, breathing difficulty, watery eyes, chest discomfort and aggravated asthma symptoms. Vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly, have been urged to stay indoors.
Volcanic Ash: A New Factor Under Watch
Adding a surprising twist to Delhi’s pollution crisis, scientists are examining whether ash from the sudden eruption of Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano, dormant for over 12,000 years, may have drifted toward South Asia. While experts say the impact on Delhi’s air remains uncertain, monitoring agencies are tracking atmospheric patterns closely.
Protests Break Out at India Gate
Public frustration spilled onto the streets on Sunday, when a group of citizens gathered at India Gate demanding urgent government action. Delhi Police later dispersed the protesters, filing FIRs against 22 individuals for alleged obstruction and use of pepper spray.
Weather to Worsen Visibility Further
The IMD has forecast a colder week ahead, with early-morning temperatures dipping to 9°C and fog expected to linger across Delhi-NCR until November 26. Daytime temperatures are likely to hover around 24°C, offering little respite from the smog blanket.
