Delhi’s air quality has plummeted to “hazardous” levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hovering around 490 — making the Indian capital one of the most polluted cities in the world today, according to real-time data from IQAir and aqicn.org.
Pollution Levels 20 Times Above WHO Safe Limits
Current readings show PM₂.₅ concentrations at approximately 320 µg/m³ and PM₁₀ levels near 418 µg/m³ — more than 20 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended safety threshold. At these levels, the air is unsafe for all residents, not just vulnerable populations.
At pollution hotspots such as Anand Vihar, AQI levels have reached around 294, with PM₁₀ concentrations remaining dangerously high due to a combination of vehicular emissions, construction dust, and stagnant weather patterns.
Doctors Warn of Severe Health Risks
Experts say Delhi’s air quality has now entered the top danger tier, where prolonged exposure can cause serious respiratory and cardiovascular health issues, particularly among children, the elderly, and individuals with asthma or other chronic conditions.
“We’re seeing a sharp rise in patients reporting breathing difficulties, eye irritation, and asthma attacks,” said Dr. Rajesh Khanna, a pulmonologist at AIIMS. “At these pollution levels, even short outdoor exposure can be harmful.”
Government and Public Health Response
Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors, avoid outdoor exercise, and wear N95 or higher-grade masks when outside. Several schools have suspended outdoor activities, and the Delhi government is considering emergency interventions — including temporary vehicle restrictions and industrial curbs — to mitigate pollution levels.
Root Causes: Crop Burning and Weather Conditions
The ongoing smog crisis has been linked to multiple factors, including crop residue burning in neighboring states, heavy vehicle emissions, industrial pollutants, and calm wind conditions that prevent dispersion of airborne particles. These recurring factors have made Delhi’s air pollution a seasonal emergency.
Experts Call for Long-Term Regional Cooperation
Environmental analysts emphasize that Delhi’s air-quality crisis underscores systemic mismanagement of seasonal pollution. They urge long-term policy coordination among Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh to tackle the root causes, such as agricultural waste burning and urban emissions.
For now, health experts advise residents to monitor real-time AQI data, use air purifiers at home, and limit outdoor activity as Delhi faces one of its worst pollution episodes in years.
