As Temperature Drops, Delhi-NCR Turns Into a Gas Chamber Again; AQI Crosses 400 in Many Areas, Making Breathing Difficult

Noida (The Uttam Hindu): Winter has begun setting in across Delhi-NCR, with minimum temperatures dropping consistently. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), shallow to moderate fog is expected in the region on 12, 13 and 14 December. On 12 December, the maximum temperature is likely to be 24°C and the minimum 9°C, with similar conditions expected for the next three days. Due to rising moisture and cold winds, the wind speed has weakened, causing pollutants to remain trapped close to the ground.

Air quality in Delhi has deteriorated rapidly, with many monitoring stations falling into “very poor” to “severe” categories. As per the available data, AQI levels were recorded as follows: Anand Vihar 410, Ashok Vihar 401, Bawana 368, Burari 354, Chandni Chowk 366, Mathura Road 309, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range 321, DTU 366, Narela 364, Nehru Nagar 362, Dwarka 394 and Punjabi Bagh 364. Several areas have crossed AQI 400, with some nearing 430, indicating extremely hazardous air.

In Noida, all active monitoring stations reported severe air quality. Sector-125 recorded 371, Sector-62 314, Sector-1 355, and Sector-116 hit 400, the most dangerous among them. Ghaziabad also remains in a worrying state, with Indirapuram 350, Loni 427 (the most polluted area in NCR), Sanjay Nagar 326 and Vasundhara 242.

Greater Noida is heavily affected too. AQI at Knowledge Park-III was 312, while Knowledge Park-V recorded 373. IMD has warned that as temperatures fall further and wind speed stays low, pollution levels are likely to rise even more. According to air quality apps, the current air is classified as “very poor”, and prolonged exposure may increase the risk of respiratory illnesses.