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Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR) woke up under a dense layer of smog once again as the city’s air quality dropped sharply, entering the “very poor” category. The worsening pollution has triggered fresh health concerns for residents, with experts warning that the situation is unlikely to improve in the coming days.
According to the latest air quality data, Delhi’s overall AQI reached around 310 on Thursday, indicating severely polluted air. Most of the city’s monitoring stations recorded readings above 300, showing widespread deterioration across residential and industrial areas alike. The capital, which had seen a brief phase of slightly better air last week, has now returned to a toxic haze with visibility dropping and pollution levels rising steadily.
Meteorologists and environmental experts have attributed the spike in pollution to a combination of seasonal and human-induced factors. The drop in wind speed, cooler temperatures, and the accumulation of pollutants in stagnant air have all contributed to the smog. However, one of the biggest culprits remains stubble burning in neighboring states such as Punjab and Haryana, which continues to release large amounts of particulate matter into the air. Experts predict that crop burning could soon contribute over 30 percent to Delhi’s overall pollution levels.
Doctors and health experts have issued strong warnings, advising residents to take precautions as the toxic air can cause breathing difficulties, eye irritation, throat infections, and exacerbate asthma and heart-related ailments. Children, the elderly, and people with pre-existing respiratory conditions remain the most vulnerable to health complications. Hospitals across the NCR have already reported an increase in patients complaining of breathing discomfort and persistent cough.
Authorities have implemented measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), including restrictions on construction activities, vehicle emissions checks, and public advisories urging people to minimize outdoor exposure. Despite these steps, pollution levels continue to remain dangerously high, suggesting that short-term interventions may not be sufficient without a more sustainable long-term strategy.
Residents across Delhi have resorted to using air purifiers, N95 masks, and limiting outdoor activity to cope with the pollution. Yet, frustration is growing among citizens who feel trapped by recurring smog every winter. Environmental groups have called for stricter enforcement of emission norms, cleaner transportation systems, and large-scale afforestation to combat the seasonal crisis.
With weather forecasts predicting little improvement in the next few days, Delhi is bracing itself for another prolonged spell of toxic air. Experts fear that unless immediate action is taken to curb stubble burning and industrial emissions, the city could once again face an emergency-level pollution scenario similar to previous years.
For now, the national capital remains under a thick, grey cloud, a grim reminder of the environmental challenges that demand urgent, collective, and sustained action.
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