Delhi Faces Public Health Emergency as Air Quality Reaches Hazardous Levels
New Delhi has been enveloped once again by choking air pollution, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to alarming heights. On Saturday, November 23, 2024, the AQI hit 421, categorizing it as hazardous and raising serious health warnings for residents amid deteriorated air quality dominated by fine particulate matter.
The pollution crisis has become an all-too-familiar winter occurrence for residents, with many expressing their daily struggles. Local resident Sri shared her experience, stating, "A few days ago, it was very polluted, and walking in the morning has become extremely difficult. It affects the eyes, and breathing, and even causes headaches. Every winter, this happens, and many government actions end up being little more than empty promises. I always advise children and the elderly to stay indoors and only go out with masks when absolutely necessary."
Saroj Devi, who works as a laborer and migrates from Gaya, emphasized the dire choices families face. "We come to work with fear. We leave our children at home, but we need to earn money to pay for their education," she said, highlighting the conflict between health precautions and economic necessity.
On the same day, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported troubling data: the AQI had climbed from 393 the previous day, with 22 out of 35 monitoring stations identifying "severe" air quality. By Friday evening, 23 stations crossed the dangerous 400-mark, signaling the harsh reality of the city’s air quality crisis. Key contributors to the toxic atmosphere include vehicular emissions, which accounted for around 15.16%, alongside 17.9% attributed to stubble burning — another perennial problem exacerbated by weather patterns during the winter months.
A combination of shallow fog and significant smog led to reduced visibility across the capital, worsening the health threats posed by already perilous air quality. PM2.5 levels were particularly worrying, hitting 194 μg/m3, far exceeding international safety benchmarks. Concerns over health risks associated with these fine particulate pollutants, capable of penetrating the lungs and entering the bloodstream, are rampant.
The Supreme Court stepped in, expressing dissatisfaction with the ineffectiveness of emergency measures aimed at controlling pollution, such as halting construction and restricting non-essential vehicular access. The Court has gone as far as appointing 13 commissioners to monitor entry points and enforce the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) more rigorously, highlighting the urgent need for accountability among administration layers.
Compounding the crisis, the weather is not cooperating. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) observed low wind speeds, which diminish the natural dispersal of air pollutants, along with northwesterly winds carrying emissions from adjacent states where farmers frequently engage in stubble burning. The environmental dilemma is amplified by the staggering statistics: Punjab reported over 10,400 cases of stubble burning since mid-September, contributing significantly to the capital's pollution levels.
While solutions are being discussed, cloud seeding was suggested as a potential temporary measure. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has appealed to the central government for approval to carry out cloud seeding. Although this proposal has sparked debates, it faces scrutiny due to the high costs and specific atmospheric moisture requirements it necessitates. Studies indicate moisture levels remain insufficient for successful implementation, raising doubts about the feasibility of executing this weather-modification technique within the city’s often dry winters.
The health risks associated with persistent high levels of PM2.5 and PM10 are alarming. Experts warn of increased respiratory conditions and even cardiovascular issues stemming from prolonged exposure. Vulnerable groups, including children, elderly citizens, and individuals suffering from pre-existing health problems, remain at heightened risk. Public health officials are sounding alarms, urging residents to remain vigilant as the government grapples with the complex nature of this environmental disaster.
Despite forecasts predicting slight changes, including shallow fog on weekends with daily temperatures expected to fluctuate between 10°C and 28°C, air quality predictions remain grim. The prevailing concern is clear: as the AQI lingers within hazardous boundaries, it pushes Delhi closer to what appears to be a full-blown public health crisis.
Delhi's current strife with hazardous air directly underlines the need for comprehensive, long-term solutions to combat pollution effectively. With temporary measures like GRAP showing only sporadic success, the call for systemic changes grows louder. The residents of Delhi deserve not only immediate relief but also enduring strategies to safeguard their health and the broader urban environment.
