Delhi
Delhi’s battle with pollution is far from over. After two days of moderate air quality, the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) dropped back to the ‘poor’ category on Sunday, with stagnant air trapping pollutants. The 24-hour average AQI surged to 227, a sharp rise from Saturday’s 152. Experts warn that the pollution is likely to linger until midweek, with only a slight chance of improvement by Wednesday.
Residents Struggle with Toxic Air
The worsening air quality has once again left residents gasping. Ashish Kumar Meena, a Delhi resident, shared his frustration, saying,
“The pollution near Akshardham is so bad that it causes throat irritation, breathing issues, and burning eyes. The government needs to act fast before this gets worse.”
Many fear that as winter fades and spring approaches, pollution will continue to fluctuate between ‘poor’ and ‘moderate’ levels, making it a year-round crisis.
Rising Temperatures, Hazy Skies
While pollution levels worsened, Delhi saw its warmest day of the year so far. The temperature climbed to 27.4°C, four degrees above normal, surpassing the previous high of 27°C recorded on January 31. At night, however, the temperature dropped to 7.8°C, keeping the chill alive.
Meteorologists predict that Delhi could touch 30°C by the end of February, a significant rise as winter transitions into spring. Historical data shows that in recent years, Delhi’s February temperatures have been unpredictable, with highs of 33.6°C in 2023, 33.2°C in 2021, and 34.1°C in 2006—the highest on record for February.
What’s Next? IMD’s Forecast
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that Delhi’s air quality will remain ‘poor’ until Tuesday, with the possibility of slight improvement by Wednesday.
For the next few days, Delhi can expect:
- Smog and shallow fog in the morning
- A partly cloudy sky and mist at night
- Daytime temperatures reaching 27-28°C
- Occasional strong surface winds (15-25 kmph) by midweek
Despite these winds, pollution remains a major concern as PM2.5 particles continue to dominate the city’s air.
Pollution Crisis: How Bad Is It?
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classifies AQI levels as follows:
- 0-50 – Good
- 51-100 – Satisfactory
- 101-200 – Moderate
- 201-300 – Poor
- 301-400 – Very Poor
- Above 400 – Severe
Delhi’s pollution swings between ‘moderate’ and ‘poor,’ making clean air a luxury for residents. Experts say that urgent measures—such as better traffic management, stricter industrial emissions control, and more green cover—are needed to prevent Delhi from becoming a permanent gas chamber.
With warmer days ahead and pollution refusing to clear, the fight for breathable air continues. The question remains—will Delhi ever wake up to truly clean skies?
