Severe smog grips Delhi-NCR with AQI above 490, visibility plunges to under 50 metres

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): People in Delhi-NCR did not get relief from the toxic air even on Sunday morning. According to the data of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), at 6 am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded above 490 in many areas of the capital, due to which the entire Delhi has been hit by 'severe' air quality. To make the situation worse, dense fog covered many parts of the capital, where visibility was recorded less than 50 meters. The situation remained almost similar in Noida also.

Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 491, Ashok Vihar 493, Bawana 498, Rohini 499, Vivek Vihar 495, and Wazirpur 493. Additionally, ITO recorded an AQI of 485, IGI Airport 416, and Lodhi Road 400. According to experts, this is the fourth time this year that Delhi's AQI has reached the "severe" category.

Weather is being blamed as the primary reason behind this sudden spike in pollution. According to reports, a western disturbance active since Friday has significantly reduced wind speeds, trapping pollutants in the atmosphere. Consequently, the situation has rapidly worsened since Saturday, and the capital has once again been engulfed in toxic smog.

On Sunday, Delhi witnessed the densest fog of the year so far, severely disrupting normal life. The conditions were so severe that even the Akshardham Temple was obscured from view, and in many areas, it was difficult to see beyond a few meters. Visibility was even limited to 50 meters around Akshardham.

Dense fog is expected to further worsen pollution. A thick blanket of fog enveloped the entire Delhi-NCR, although the fog was more intense in Delhi than in Noida and Ghaziabad.

Given the severity of the situation, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday implemented Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) with immediate effect. Under this, non-essential construction and demolition activities have been completely halted. All work related to earthworks, piling, welding, painting, plastering, tiling, and flooring has been suspended.

Ready-mix concrete (RMC) plants, stone crushers, brick kilns, and mining activities have also been banned. Instructions have been issued to control dust pollution by prohibiting the transport of construction materials such as cement, sand, and fly ash on unpaved roads.