New Delhi, Dec 13 (LatestNewsX)
On Saturday, a heavy blanket of smog draped the National Capital Region, pushing air quality to dangerous levels and stirring public health concerns. Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 387, a figure that places it squarely in the “very poor” zone—an alarming sign for children, seniors and people with breathing difficulties.
The week’s trend shows a steady decline. Tuesday’s reading was 282, falling under “poor,” and Wednesday slipped to 259. By Thursday the numbers had jumped to 307, and a sharp rise to 349 on Friday brought the city close to the “severe” threshold.
Scientists say a mix of stagnant winds, vehicle exhaust, industrial output and seasonal habits—particularly the burning of crop residue in neighbouring states—has amplified the problem. As a result, large swathes of the capital territory are now dealing with hazardous air.
According to official data, 18 districts crossed an AQI of 400, classifying them as “severe.” The most affected spot was Wazirpur, registering an AQI of 443, followed by Jahangirpuri (439) and Vivek Vihar (437). Other localities in the “severe” band include Rohini and Anand Vihar (434 each), Ashok Vihar (431), Sonia Vihar and Delhi Technological University (427 each), Narela (425), Bawana (424), Nehru Nagar (421), Patparganj (419), ITO (417), Punjabi Bagh (416), Mundka (415), Burari Crossing (413), Chandni Chowk (412), and DU North Campus (401).
Health experts warn that long exposure to such high pollution can trigger worsened asthma, reduced lung function, cardiovascular strain, and irritation of the eyes and throat. Authorities urge residents to limit outdoor activities, wear protective masks, and follow the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP); the plan may become stricter if the situation does not improve.
At the same time, Delhi is experiencing cool, overcast conditions with temperatures hovering around 10 °C, expected to dip to 8 °C later tonight. Though the weather feels milder than the usual mid‑December climate, thick fog in the early morning and late evening has intensified commuting woes. Meteorologists predict colder temperatures as the month progresses, which could further deteriorate air quality if wind speeds stay low.
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