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Delhi's Air Quality Hits 'Severe' 439 AQI Amid Dense Fog and Cold Wave

Delhi's air quality remained in the 'severe' category with an AQI of 439, worsening from the previous night. Multiple areas recorded alarmingly high pollution levels, with Anand Vihar reaching 489. The CAQM has reinvoked Stage-IV GRAP measures across the NCR to combat the crisis. Dense fog and cold wave conditions are persisting, compounding the public health emergency.

Key Points: Delhi AQI Severe at 439, GRAP Stage-IV Reinvoked Amid Fog

  • AQI at severe 439
  • GRAP Stage-IV measures invoked
  • Dense fog reduces visibility
  • Health risks for vulnerable groups
3 min read

Delhi chokes again: AQI in 'severe' category at 439 as cold wave and fog persist

Delhi's AQI hits 439 in severe category as cold wave and dense fog persist. GRAP Stage-IV measures enforced. Health alerts issued for vulnerable groups.

"prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region - CAQM order"

New Delhi, January 18

Delhi continued to grapple with a severe air pollution crisis on Sunday morning as air quality in the national capital remained in the 'severe' category, with the Air Quality Index recorded at 439 at 7 am, according to data released by the Central Pollution Control Board.

The situation worsened overnight, with the AQI recorded at 432 at 10 pm on Saturday, placing it in the 'severe' category, before deteriorating further by early Sunday morning. The persistent high pollution levels have raised serious health concerns, particularly for children, the elderly and people suffering from respiratory and cardiovascular ailments.

Several areas across the city reported alarmingly high pollution levels, reflecting the widespread nature of the pollution crisis. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 489, Ashok Vihar 463, Bawana 467, Chandni Chowk 464, Dwarka Sector 8 469, ITO 448, Narela 412, Punjabi Bagh 476, RK Puram 467 and Wazirpur 478. All these locations fell under the 'severe' category, indicating extremely poor air quality and heightened health risks.

As per AQI classification, a reading between 0 and 50 is 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor' and 401 to 500 'severe'.

Furthermore, visibility across the city remained poor as cold wave conditions continued and dense fog covered large parts of Delhi. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that dense fog persisted in the morning hours, with moderate fog observed at several locations and dense fog at isolated spots. Minimum temperatures on Sunday hovered between 5 and 7 degrees Celsius, remaining below normal by 1.6 to 3 degrees Celsius.

In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Saturday reinvoked Stage-IV measures under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR).

"Keeping in view the prevailing trend of air quality and relevant factors and in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region, the CAQM Sub-Committee on GRAP unanimously decides to invoke all actions as envisaged under Stage-IV of the extant GRAP - 'Severe+' Air Quality (DELHI AQI > 450), with immediate effect, in the entire NCR, as a proactive measure. This is in addition to the actions under Stages I, II & III of the extant GRAP already in force in NCR," the order from the CAQM read.

The order further added, "NCR Pollution Control Boards and other agencies concerned have been asked to escalate the preventive measures to prevent further deterioration of air quality in the region."

With severe pollution, cold wave and dense fog persisting, authorities have urged citizens to limit outdoor activities, follow health advisories, and take precautions against the hazardous air quality.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
AQI 489 in Anand Vihar! 😷 This is terrifying. My morning commute was like driving through a smoke cloud. The fog and pollution mix is deadly. Authorities need to get serious about stopping stubble burning in neighbouring states. It's not just a Delhi problem, it's an NCR disaster.
A
Aman W
Respectfully, while GRAP Stage-IV is necessary, it's always reactive. Why are we surprised every November-January? The data and patterns are known. We need proactive infrastructure changes - better public transport, strict enforcement on construction dust, and support for farmers to manage crop residue. Jai Hind, but we need to breathe!
S
Sarah B
I moved here for work six months ago from Canada. The air quality is the single biggest challenge. My eyes burn every evening. I see people, especially street vendors and traffic police, without any masks or protection. Where are the public health campaigns and distribution of masks in these severe conditions?
V
Vikram M
The cold wave is making it worse, trapping all the pollutants. My parents in Dwarka are suffering the most – both have asthma. We've had to buy a concentrator. It's a huge financial burden on middle-class families. When will clean air be a fundamental right in practice, not just on paper?
K
Karthik V
Seeing the AQI map is depressing. From Narela to RK Puram, the entire city is red. We can't just blame farmers or vehicles. It's a complex mix: construction, waste burning, industrial emissions, and weather. Need a comprehensive, multi-state action plan with strict accountability. Enough of the blame game.

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