The national capital, Delhi, is under a thick blanket of smog, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching ‘very poor’ levels on Sunday. The AQI was measured at 385, a marginal improvement from Saturday’s 386, but still indicative of hazardous air quality. Visibility was greatly reduced, with the India Gate landmark almost completely obscured by the dense smog, impacting the daily lives of residents.
Pollution levels have escalated in several key areas. Rajghat and ITO registered an AQI of 417, classified as ‘severe’. Anand Vihar, Alipur, and Ashok Vihar are also experiencing severe air pollution, with AQI figures ranging from 400 to 415. The Chandani Chowk area recorded an AQI of 420, while Dwarka is at 378.
This deterioration in air quality is accompanied by a significant drop in temperatures. Delhi’s minimum temperature is predicted to be between 9 and 11 degrees Celsius today, following a low of 9.7 degrees Celsius on Saturday. The IMD has also issued warnings for cold wave conditions in several states and heavy rainfall for Tamil Nadu, indicating a dynamic weather scenario nationwide.