Residents in India’s northern states faced another day of poor air quality on Tuesday as dense fog blanketed much of the region, while pollution levels in the capital, Delhi, remained severe.
Every winter, India contends with worsening air pollution as cold, heavy air traps dust, emissions, and smoke from illegal farm fires in neighboring Punjab and Haryana.
Delhi’s air quality index (AQI) peaked at 491 on Monday, prompting the government to impose restrictions on vehicle movement and construction activities. Schools shifted to online classes to protect students from the hazardous conditions.
Thick fog enveloped the region, further reducing visibility and exacerbating the challenges posed by the toxic air. Commuters and residents grappled with the combined effects of pollution and limited visibility, intensifying daily struggles.
Authorities have ramped up efforts to curb pollution by deploying smog towers, banning certain industrial activities, and encouraging residents to minimize outdoor activities during peak pollution hours.
Environmental experts continue to stress the urgent need for systemic changes, including stricter enforcement of anti-pollution laws and support for farmers to adopt sustainable alternatives to stubble burning.
Delhi’s air pollution crisis serves as a stark reminder of the broader environmental challenges facing the region, as policymakers, activists, and residents call for long-term solutions to combat the annual health hazard.
On Tuesday, Delhi recorded a 24-hour air quality index (AQI) reading of 488 out of 500, according to India’s Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). At least five monitoring stations in the capital reported the maximum AQI level of 500.
The CPCB categorizes AQI readings between 0-50 as “good” and readings above 401 as “severe.” Severe levels pose risks to healthy individuals and “seriously impact” those with pre-existing health conditions.
The hazardous air quality highlights the growing urgency for effective measures to combat pollution in Delhi, where millions of residents face daily exposure to toxic air.
Authorities have intensified restrictions, including curbs on construction and vehicle movement, to reduce emissions and mitigate health risks during this critical period.
Health experts urge residents to limit outdoor activities and use air purifiers indoors, emphasizing the severe consequences of prolonged exposure to such dangerous pollution levels.
Swiss group IQAir ranked New Delhi as the world’s most polluted city on Tuesday, with air quality at a “hazardous” level of 489. Although this marked a significant improvement from Monday’s staggering 1,081 reading, pollution levels remained dangerously high.
Experts attribute the variation in scores to differences in how countries convert pollutant concentrations into AQI metrics. The same pollutant levels may result in different AQI scores depending on the methodology used.
India’s weather department reported that a shift in the fog layer toward Uttar Pradesh improved visibility over Delhi. However, this improvement came at the expense of visibility in Uttar Pradesh, where dense smog reduced it to zero meters in Agra, southeast of Delhi.
The toxic haze has obscured the Taj Mahal, India’s iconic monument of love, for nearly a week, frustrating visitors and raising concerns about the long-term impact of pollution on the structure.
Strict anti-pollution measures, such as curbs on industrial activity and construction, have disrupted operations for over 3.4 million micro, small, and medium enterprises in Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, according to local media.
Small business owners in these regions report significant losses, highlighting the economic toll of addressing the air quality crisis. The restrictions aim to balance public health priorities with the region’s economic needs.
As pollution continues to wreak havoc on daily life and the economy, residents and experts alike call for stronger, long-term policies to tackle the recurring issue of hazardous air quality.
