Shrouded in smog, Delhi pollution reading is the highest this year

A thick blanket of toxic smog enveloped northern India on Monday, with air quality readings in New Delhi reaching their highest levels this year following a night of dense fog. The smog, a hazardous combination of smoke and fog, recurs every winter as cold air traps pollutants, including emissions, dust, and smoke from illegal farm fires in nearby states.

Visibility dropped to just 100 meters (109 yards) in both New Delhi and Chandigarh, a city northwest of the capital. Despite the poor visibility, authorities reported only minor delays in flights and trains.

The air quality index (AQI) in the national capital territory recorded a 24-hour reading of 484, categorized as "severe plus," marking the highest level this year. According to IQAir's live rankings, New Delhi ranked as the most polluted city in the world, with a "hazardous" air quality reading of 1,081. PM2.5 levels—a dangerous particulate matter that can penetrate the lungs and cause severe health issues—were reported to be 130.9 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended limits.

Experts note that variations in AQI scores across countries arise from differences in the scales used to measure pollutant concentrations, meaning the same pollutant levels can yield different AQI results depending on the methodology.

In response, Delhi authorities ordered all schools to switch to online classes and tightened restrictions on construction and vehicle movement, citing stagnant meteorological conditions and low wind speeds.

Farm fires, a major contributor to the pollution, accounted for up to 40% of Delhi’s air quality degradation, according to SAFAR, a weather forecasting agency under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Satellite imagery detected 1,334 stubble-burning incidents across six states on Sunday, the highest in four days, as reported by the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space.

Despite the hazardous conditions, many residents continued their routines. Iconic landmarks like the India Gate were shrouded in haze, barely visible.

“Morning walks usually feel good, but now the air is polluted, and we’re forced to wear a mask. There is a burning sensation in the eyes and slight difficulty in breathing,” said Akshay Pathak, a Delhi resident, to ANI news agency.

India’s weather department has forecast “dense to very dense fog” for northern states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan, adding to the challenges of poor air quality.