New Delhi, India - The air quality crisis gripping New Delhi has reached alarming levels, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to as high as 481, marking it as 'severe plus' on monitoring scales. This sharp rise in pollution has prompted authorities to enact emergency measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) from Monday morning. It’s been reported by various sources like Forbes and The Business Standard on November 18, 2024, indicating the growing severity of the situation and the measures being taken to combat the health risks associated with such levels of pollution.
Choking on the toxic air, public visibility has plummeted to about 100 meters, transforming the streets of India's capital under thick layers of smog. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), this drastic air quality shift is exacerbated by factors such as the seasonal burning of crop residues and the high number of vehicles causing emissions. The U.S. Embassy's tracking even labeled the air quality as 'beyond the AQI', highlighting just how dire the conditions had become.
Under the stringent guidelines of GRAP, all schools have transitioned to online classes, and the entry of heavy trucks laden with non-essential goods has been halted. Construction activities, notorious for releasing copious amounts of particulate matter and other harmful pollutants, have also been suspended entirely. The GRAP measures, as implemented, represent Stage IV, which is the highest alert level within this pollution response framework and mandates severe restrictions to alleviate the hazardous air.
According to officials from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the situation is so concerning because pollutants such as PM 2.5 levels peaked at over 950 micrograms per cubic meter—an alarming figure compared to the World Health Organization’s recommendation of no more than 5. Exposure to such levels can lead to significant health issues, particularly respiratory problems. It’s also reported by IQ Air, which tracks global air quality, indicating New Delhi’s AQI skyrocketed past 1,700, far exceeding typical hazardous benchmarks.
The political dimensions of the pollution crisis are also coming to the fore. Local governments, authorities, and residents have been engaging in blame games, underscoring the difficulties faced by citizens surviving under these dire conditions. The predominant narrative suggests approximately 40 percent of Delhi's pollution stems from the illegal burning of crop residues from neighboring Punjab and Haryana states. Despite attempts to financially incentivize farmers to pursue alternative methods of disposal, stubble burning remains predominant due to its perceived ease and cost-effectiveness.
The multiple layers of this crisis are exacerbated by the natural climatic conditions experienced during the winter months, where fog, smoke, and air stagnation combine to intensify the already poor air quality. Such conditions not only lower visibility but also trap airborne pollutants close to the ground, increasing the risk to public health dramatically.
An additional consequence has been the impact on air travel; reports indicate significant flight delays at the Indira Gandhi International Airport due to low visibility conditions, affecting over 200 flights on November 18. The airport authorities have warned passengers to expect delays as they implement low visibility procedures.
Public health experts have sounded alarms about the long-term effects of prolonged exposure to hazardous air quality such as facial skin problems and respiratory diseases. Hospitals are expecting to see more patients suffering from illnesses related to air quality as these emergency measures go underway. It is clear, as residents step out wearing masks or staying indoors, the city faces not just immediate challenges but potentially long-standing public health ramifications too.
Looking forward, the authorities are pushing for comprehensive strategies to improve air quality beyond just emergency measures, focusing on more sustainable and long-term solutions. They may include improved regulations on emissions from vehicles, promotion of cleaner energy sources, and stringent controls against crop residue burning. Gradually rolling out such changes will be key for long-term solutions.
Understanding the extent of the problem might enable citizens, officials, and all stakeholders to work collaboratively for effective and sustainable interventions—something desperately needed as New Delhi continues to battle one of its worst air pollution crises on record.
