Delhi chokes under ‘severe’ air pollution, Rai seeks Centre’s nod for artificial rain

The air quality in the Capital remained in the ‘severe’ category on Tuesday, with dense smog blanketing the city during the morning hours. However, light winds in the afternoon provided slight relief, dispersing some of the smog and causing a marginal drop in the air quality index (AQI).

According to the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, smog is expected to persist during the morning and night hours on Wednesday. Surface winds are forecast to blow from the northwest at speed of less than 6 km/h in the morning. This speed is expected to increase to 8-10 km/h in the afternoon before subsiding to under 6 km/h by evening and night.

At 6 pm on Tuesday, Anand Vihar and Jahangirpuri recorded AQI levels of 465 and 468, respectively. Other hotspots included Bawana (464), Dwarka Sector 8 (459), ITO (406), Punjabi Bagh (454), Rohini (464), Shadipur (451) and Vivek Vihar (466).

The dense morning smog disrupted transportation, with eight flights diverted, 22 trains delayed, and nine trains cancelled.

In response to the worsening air quality, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai wrote to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav for the fourth time, urging cloud seeding as an emergency intervention. Rai also stated that decisions regarding work-from-home measures and implementing the odd-even vehicle scheme would be taken soon.

The Delhi Government has directed all hospitals to establish specialist teams to address respiratory ailments caused by the severe air pollution. The Health Department has also instructed hospitals to monitor and report daily cases of respiratory illnesses, both outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD), and immediately flag any unusual surge in cases. The advisory emphasises assigning specialists to provide comprehensive care for affected patients.

Meanwhile, Jamia Millia Islamia and Dr BR Ambedkar University have suspended physical classes and shifted to online learning until November 23 due to the deteriorating air quality.

Commuters faced additional challenges navigating the city as a strike by Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) contractual bus drivers and conductors continued. Protesters are demanding equal pay and better working conditions, leading to widespread disruptions in public transportation. Many bus commuters were forced to rely on cabs and bike taxis, compounding the frustration amid the smog and pollution crisis.