Delhi Pollution: For people living in Delhi and the National Capital Region, the start of the New Year has been unsettling.
Dense Fog Disrupts Morning Life in Delhi-NCR
Thick fog dramatically reduced visibility in Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Faridabad in the early morning hours. There was almost no visibility in several areas, which affected aircraft schedules, rail operations, and traffic.
Nail-Biting Cold Grips the Capital
Delhi is experiencing frigid weather and fog. It’s one of the coldest starts to the New Year in recent memory, driven by a significant drop in minimum temperatures. People are being forced to stay indoors in the early morning and late at night due to the “feels-like” cold caused by cold winds and high moisture levels.
Delhi Pollution Worsens: AQI in ‘Very Poor’ Category
Delhi’s pollution remains the primary issue. AQI levels between 300 and 400, classified as “Very Poor,” were reported by several monitoring stations across the city.
This degree of air pollution may result in:
- Uncomfortable breathing
- inflammation of the eyes
- Patients with asthma and cardiac conditions are at higher risk
Why Is Pollution So Severe Right Now?
- Pollutants are trapped near the ground due to low wind speed.
- Dense fog that stops particulates from dispersing
- The cold slows down the flow of air.
The problem is made worse by the combination of these factors, which produce a blanket of pollution over Delhi-NCR.
IMD Forecast: What’s in Store?
The IMD predicts that Delhi-NCR will probably see:
- Dense to moderate fog persisted throughout the mornings.
- Conditions during cold waves in remote places
- Due to unfavourable weather, air quality has improved little.
A Depressing Beginning to the New Year
The NCR’s New Year began under a cloudy sky and polluted air, raising health and environmental concerns. The state of the outdoor environment serves as a reminder of Delhi’s persistent pollution problem, even as festivities may continue indoors.
