Delhi woke up to another day under a blanket of hazardous air as the Air Quality Index (AQI) touched 426 on Wednesday morning, classified as “severe.” This followed the season’s coldest night, with the temperature dropping to 11.1°C. Dense fog reduced visibility to 500 meters, and the humidity level stood at 84%. The maximum temperature is expected to reach 25°C.

Out of 38 air quality monitoring stations in the city, all except Lodhi Road reported “severe” AQI levels. An AQI above 400 poses significant health risks, even for healthy individuals, and is particularly harmful to those with pre-existing conditions. Delhi’s air quality breached the “severe plus” category on Sunday, triggering the implementation of Stage IV restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Introduced in 2017, GRAP categorizes air pollution into four stages. Stage IV, the highest, includes stringent measures such as halting all construction and demolition activities and suspending physical classes in schools. Additional restrictions by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) include banning diesel light motor vehicles, except for BS-VI-compliant ones and essential or emergency services. Entry of diesel-powered medium and heavy goods vehicles into Delhi is prohibited, with exceptions for essential supplies. Only electric and CNG vehicles are allowed for freight transport.

The situation underscores the urgent need for sustained measures to tackle pollution in the capital, especially during winter when air quality typically deteriorates due to a combination of weather patterns and human activities. As the dense fog and toxic air persist, Delhi’s residents face significant health challenges, amplifying the urgency of addressing this long-standing environmental crisis.