Delhi grapples with smog, AQI spikes

Residents of Delhi struggled with breathing difficulties due to hazardous air quality as pollution levels spiked on Saturday. The city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 278, falling in the ‘poor’ category, according to the 4 PM bulletin from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The morning was marked by a layer of smog over the city. Data from SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research) revealed that Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 453 at 5 pm, falling in the ‘severe’ category. Several other areas in the capital are also grappling with ‘very poor’ air quality, with Mundka registering an AQI of 364, followed by Wazirpur (349), Bawana (345), Jahangirpuri (337), Dwarka (328), and Narela (327).

In response to rising pollution levels, the Delhi government implemented the first phase of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Tuesday, aimed at mitigating the effects of air pollution.