Delhi chokes as AQI hits ‘Severe’; thick smog clouds visibility, school closures loom

Delhi woke up to “severe” air quality on Thursday, November 14, with thick smog reducing visibility and worsening pollution levels. Following Wednesday’s poor conditions, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 473 in Anand Vihar early Thursday, reaching “severe plus” levels, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Other areas like Aya Nagar and Wazirpur also recorded AQI levels above 400, signaling “severe” pollution.

The recent surge in AQI is attributed to an unusually dense fog, which trapped pollutants, creating an “episodic event,” according to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). However, despite the dangerous levels, CAQM has opted not to implement Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) yet.

Stage 3 would require halting in-person classes for primary schools and stopping construction activities. Instead, CAQM expects stronger winds to help disperse pollutants, potentially improving AQI to the “very poor” category soon.

Data shows that Delhi’s AQI worsened sharply on Wednesday, escalating from 418 to 454 by the evening. By Thursday, the CAQM planned to review whether Stage 3 actions would be necessary based on pollution trends. Notably, GRAP Stage 2, which includes some air quality control measures, has been in place since October 22.

Delhi’s first dense fog and cold snap of the season on Wednesday worsened pollution by holding pollutants near the ground. Safdarjung’s maximum temperature dropped to 27.8°C from 32.8°C the previous day, while 30 of Delhi’s 36 monitoring stations recorded “severe” air quality. CPCB data revealed that Bihar’s Hajipur also recorded high pollution, with an AQI of 417.

If Delhi’s AQI remains in the severe range, GRAP Stage 3 restrictions may be enacted. These could include bans on construction, demolition, and BS-III and BS-IV vehicle movement. With smog lingering, CAQM will continue monitoring before taking additional actions.