The NCR is under siege from an unrelenting weather onslaught—impenetrable fog blankets the skyline, arctic winds pierce through layers of clothing, and toxic air suffocates the population. Public life is in disarray, with economic losses mounting by the hour.
Visibility plunged to zero meters in central Delhi early Wednesday, prompting traffic police to deploy fog lights and diversions. Schools and colleges across the region declared holidays, while offices urged work-from-home policies. The Yamuna Expressway saw multiple pile-ups, highlighting the dangers of driving in such conditions.
AQI readings tell a grim story: 380+ across monitoring stations, driven by vehicular emissions, dust, and biomass burning. The Supreme Court has repeatedly flagged this seasonal menace, yet solutions remain elusive. Health advisories recommend steam inhalation and hydration to combat pollution-induced ailments.
With western disturbances delaying the cold wave’s exit, experts call for immediate action like cloud seeding or enhanced public transport. As the sun struggles to break through, NCR’s 30 million residents endure, hoping for a reprieve that could redefine urban resilience against environmental extremes.