New Delhi: Delhi was blanketed by dense smog on Saturday morning as air pollution levels climbed dangerously close to the “severe” category, raising health concerns across the national capital and surrounding regions.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board showed the city’s overall Air Quality Index at 390 around 8 a.m., placing it in the “very poor” range. Several localities, however, recorded even higher pollution levels, crossing into the severe zone. Monitoring stations reported alarming readings in areas such as Anand Vihar, Ghazipur, Jahangirpuri, Rohini, Chandni Chowk, Burari Crossing and RK Puram, where AQI values exceeded 400.
The combination of heavy smog and shallow fog significantly reduced visibility during the early hours, affecting daily routines and travel. Under national air quality standards, AQI levels above 400 are considered severe and are linked to serious health risks, while readings between 301 and 400 are categorised as very poor.
Pollution at this level can aggravate breathing difficulties and increase the risk of respiratory illness, even among otherwise healthy individuals, especially with prolonged exposure. Such conditions have become increasingly frequent during Delhi’s winter months, when cold temperatures and calm winds trap pollutants near the ground.
Amid the low visibility, Delhi’s airport issued a precautionary advisory, stating that while flights were operating normally, low-visibility protocols had been activated. Passengers were advised to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates.
The capital had experienced similar conditions a day earlier, with pollution levels remaining extremely high and a thick haze lingering over several neighbourhoods. Although there have been brief periods of improvement in recent weeks, large sections of the city continue to grapple with persistent and hazardous air quality.
The worsening pollution has also reignited political sparring, with parties trading blame over the causes and handling of Delhi’s air crisis as residents endure another spell of toxic winter smog.
