World’s Most Polluted City: Delhi now surpasses Lahore to claim the title with hazardous AQI levels

Delhi has recently achieved the unwanted title of the world’s most polluted city, surpassing Lahore, as air quality levels reached the hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI) 1000. On Wednesday morning, residents of Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of smog that marked an air emergency across the capital. The haze, which reduced visibility and disrupted flights, is attributed to a number of contributing factors, including industrial emissions, farm fires and stagnant air conditions.

Delhi’s AQI Reaches Hazardous Levels

The AQI in Delhi reached 1000, which is considered “hazardous” by international air quality standards. For reference, AQI below 100 is considered “satisfactory,” while anything above 200 is considered “poor.” Readings between 400 and 500 indicate “severe” pollution, with levels above 1000 reflecting some of the most dangerous air quality measurements worldwide.

Visibility and Air Travel Impacted by Severe Smog

Severe smog affected visibility and air travel, with visibility dropping to around 100 metres (328 feet) in parts of Delhi in the early hours of Wednesday. Due to this poor visibility, serious adjustments were made at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, due to which eight flights were diverted in the morning due to severe smog. Seven flights were diverted to Jaipur and one to Lucknow, affecting thousands of passengers. According to officials, the situation started improving slightly after 10 am.

Conflicting AQI Reports

While the global air quality monitoring platform IQAir recorded Delhi’s AQI at 1000, local authorities in India reported lower AQI measurements. According to the Central Pollution Control Board, Delhi’s AQI was recorded at 355 around 7 am and rose to 370 by 10 am on Wednesday. Yet, it is for the first time this year that PM 2.5 levels in Delhi have crossed the 1000-mark, resulting in a layer of grey-yellow smog covering the entire city.

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Recurring Pollution Crisis in Delhi

Delhi’s air quality deteriorates every year, especially during winter. Primary sources of pollution include continuous industrial emissions, vehicular pollution and seasonal practice of crop burning in neighbouring states. Farmers burn rice straw to clear the fields for the next planting season, which contributes significantly to the smog that shrouds Delhi and surrounding areas every year. With stagnant air conditions, this toxic air persists for a long time, creating serious health risks for residents.

Government Measures to Combat Pollution

To combat pollution, the government has previously implemented measures such as closing schools, restricting the use of private vehicles, and halting construction activities. These measures are aimed at reducing pollution levels and providing relief to the residents of Delhi from the adverse health effects of prolonged exposure to toxic air.

Conclusion

As Delhi struggles with its status as the world’s most polluted city, urgent and effective pollution control measures are needed to prevent health and environmental crises. Addressing industrial emissions, promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing air quality regulation are important steps in mitigating Delhi’s recurring pollution problems.