New Delhi: Delhi continued to reel under a thick blanket of smog on Saturday as air quality remained in the very poor category, severely affecting visibility and daily life across the national capital. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for dense fog, warning of reduced visibility during early morning and late-night hours.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) hovered well above safe limits, with several monitoring stations recording AQI levels close to the severe category. The toxic air led to complaints of eye irritation, breathing discomfort, and throat problems, especially among children, the elderly, and those with respiratory illnesses.
In response to the worsening air quality, authorities enforced Stage IV restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). These measures include a ban on construction activities, restrictions on the entry of non-essential polluting vehicles, and the closure of certain industrial operations. Schools were advised to limit outdoor activities, while residents were urged to avoid unnecessary travel.
The IMD attributed the dense smog and fog conditions to low wind speed, high moisture levels, and a drop in temperatures, which trapped pollutants close to the ground. Visibility in some areas dropped to near zero, disrupting road, rail, and flight operations during the morning hours.
Environmental experts have once again stressed the urgent need for long-term measures to control pollution, including reducing vehicular emissions, managing stubble burning, and promoting cleaner energy sources.
Authorities have appealed to citizens to cooperate with restrictions and take precautionary measures, such as using masks and limiting outdoor exposure, until weather conditions improve and pollution levels subside.