Delhi's air quality remained in the "severe" category for the fifth consecutive day on Sunday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 428 at 7 a.m. The dense pollution caused visibility at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport to drop to 800 meters by 7:30 a.m., leading to significant disruptions, including 107 delayed flights and three cancellations, as reported by Flightradar.

Alarming AQI Levels Across the Capital

Multiple monitoring stations across Delhi recorded AQI levels exceeding 400, highlighting the extent of the pollution crisis. Bawana reported the highest AQI at 471, followed closely by Ashok Vihar and Jahangirpuri at 466. Mundka and Wazirpur also recorded alarming levels at 463. Other severely affected areas included Anand Vihar, Shadipur, and Vivek Vihar, with readings of 457, and Rohini and Punjabi Bagh at 449 and 447, respectively.

Official data revealed that seven areas—Anand Vihar, Ashok Vihar, Bawana, Mundka, Shadipur, Vivek Vihar, and Wazirpur—fell into the “severe plus” category of air pollution. Out of Delhi's 35 monitoring stations, 22 reported "severe" air quality, while six recorded "very poor" levels.

Health Concerns and Regional Impact

The worsening air quality is causing widespread health issues, including respiratory distress, eye irritation, and other related symptoms. Neighboring cities also experienced deteriorating conditions, with Noida and Gurugram recording AQIs of 308 and 307, respectively. Ghaziabad, at 372, showed slight improvement, while Faridabad reported the lowest AQI among listed cities at 260, categorized as “poor.”

Delhi’s air pollution continues to pose significant public health challenges, underscoring the urgent need for measures to mitigate its impact on residents.