Delhi smog, notorious for choking skies and stinging eyes, has once again grabbed headlines as November 2024 brings some of the worst air quality readings seen this season. With the arrival of winter, cold air has trapped dense layers of pollution over the city, compounded by stubble burning practices surrounding the capital, resulting in air quality indices (AQI) soaring to alarming levels. Authorities have recorded a staggering AQI of 484 on November 18, classified as 'severe plus', causing panic among residents and triggering government interventions.
The Supreme Court of India recently emphasized the fundamental right to clean air, directing both the Central and State governments to take immediate action against worsening pollution levels, as the air quality remains consistently hazardous. Chief Minister Atishi announced online classes for school children—except for Class 10 and 12—effective from November 18 to curb traffic and protect health. The orders on educational institutions came as air quality deteriorated due to smog inflicting visible health impacts.
Authorities have mandated stringent restrictions on construction activities and vehicular movement, particularly pertaining to diesel-powered trucks. Vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, or those with pre-existing respiratory or cardiac conditions, have been encouraged to remain indoors. The city, yet again engulfed by its infamous seasonal smog, has witnessed visibility drop to dangerously low levels. Residents report experiencing stinging eyes and difficulty breathing.
Data from pollution monitoring agencies indicate ‘hazardous’ PM2.5 levels peaking at 907 micrograms per cubic meter on the morning of November 18—an astounding 65 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limit of 15. This dangerous particulate matter can penetrate the lungs, contributing to severe health complications and premature deaths. The dire pollution levels have been indirectly linked to several thousand premature fatalities annually, particularly affecting the city’s vulnerable demographics.
Farmers across northern India have reported engaging heavily in the practice of burning stubble post-harvest to clear fields for planting wheat, adding to the toxic haze shrouding Delhi. On November 17 alone, Punjab recorded 1,251 incidents of farm fires. Such practices are outlawed, yet enforcement remains weak, making stubble burning the most cost-effective and swift method available to farmers aiming to prepare their fields. With Punjab being India's leading producer of wheat, the problem is intensifying each year as farmers assert their economic limitations prevent switching to more environmentally-friendly practices without substantial government support.
While farm fires contribute significantly to the pollution problem, experts caution against oversimplifying the root causes of air quality degradation. The baseline pollution levels are already alarmingly high, attributed to numerous sources including construction, transportation emissions, and industrial activities. A mix of seasonal weather patterns, which trap pollutants close to the ground, exacerbates the air quality issues. Recent observation from NASA indicated slight changes to the timing of stubble burning activities, leading to speculation whether farmers are altering practices to avoid satellite detection.
The air pollution crisis doesn’t stop at Delhi; surrounding cities like Noida and Gurugram have reported similarly poor air quality, triggering alarm bells not just across the national capital region but across the northern belt of India. Notably, Lahore, Pakistan, has seen its air quality improve as Delhi smolders; it had recorded dangerously high AQI levels earlier, but recent figures indicate some relief, showing Lahore’s air quality returning to “very unhealthy” but lower than its previous hazardous levels.
Despite the city's AUQT numbers reaching extremes, including 494 reported on November 18 at 8 AM—raising comparisons to all-time highs recorded on November 6, 2016—forecasts indicated no immediate relief. Experts reckon the AQI might persistingently linger around the severe category until at least the week’s end due to the combination of local conditions and the stubble burning practices.
Nonetheless, occasional improvements have been monitored; visibility is picking up with indications of some shifting weather conditions. Reports of fog over the region have somewhat cleared, enhancing visibility for travel activities across the capital and its surroundings, precisely where flight operations faced earlier diversions and train schedules markedly delayed. Given the record fog and smog, at least 22 trains and several flights were reported delayed across the northern railways and at Indira Gandhi International Airport due to these foggy conditions.
Despite the stranglehold of present air quality issues, efforts to combat the pollution may be changing. A combination of ground interventions and judicial oversight has led to heightened expectations on the governments to finally get serious about the chronic state of pollution. Public and governmental discussions are now back on the table, spurred by recent Supreme Court directives.
This year’s pollution crisis is reminiscent of similar patterns from previous years, yet experts maintain the concern of consistently high pollution levels occupies space for discussion within Indian society. With changing weather patterns and growing industrial activities, the toxic mix of particulate pollution showcases challenges not solely related to the burning of agricultural stubble, but also indicative of deep-rooted issues within India's environmental management strategies.
The people of Delhi, adorned by its rich cultural heritage and dense population, continue to face the grim consequences of its pollution problems. This recurring seasonal challenge amplifies the struggle against air pollution—one state intervention at a time—and brings attention to the urgent need for collective action to restore the city’s breathable air.
Moving forward, the question remains: will this pollution crisis prompt transformative dialogues leading to sustainable solutions? The scope for improvement lies heavily within coordinated government measures addressing not just pollution from stubble burning, but also focusing on long-term alterations around urban living conditions, infrastructure, and agricultural practices across the country.
