Delhi pollution update: The city continues to breathe toxic air as AQI remains hazardous on Sunday
It’s no news that Delhi is going through a tough phase in terms of pollution. The residents of Delhi-NCR continue to breathe toxic air as AQI remains hazardous on Sunday. Reports from official air-quality monitoring systems say that the air in the city is trapped in a toxic haze. The air quality stayed alarmingly poor. As per the Air Quality Early Warning System (run jointly by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and IITM), very low ventilation conditions are preventing pollutants from dispersing. While reports cited an AQI reading of 551 on Sunday, several official and semi-official dashboards suggest levels remain in the “hazardous” category. For example, real-time data from New Delhi’s AQI dashboard shows particulate concentrations — PM₂.₅ at 260 µg/m³ and PM₁₀ at 345 µg/m³ — consistent with hazardous pollution.
Risk possessed by serious readingsThese readings are not normal for any city. The high readings raise serious health concerns as long-term exposure to fine particles is known to worsen lung and heart diseases. Even short-term exposure to such toxicity is capable of triggering respiratory distress. Although there’s no direct statement from the CPCB comparing current exposure to “12 cigarettes a day,” that metaphor underscores how dangerous it is breathing this polluted air.
The IMD-IITM early-warning system also warns that wind speeds are extremely low. A measure of how well the atmosphere can spread out pollutants is forecast to drop below 6,000 m²/s, which is widely considered unfavorable for dispersion. In fact, the IMD’s standard operating procedure for air-quality forecasting notes that when the ventilation index falls below this threshold and average wind is under 10 km/h, pollutants remain trapped near the surface. The condition is heightened because of pollutants emitted from vehicles, construction, and possibly regional sources accumulate rather than disperse — intensifying the smog that blankets large swathes of the city.
According to the IMD’s New Delhi regional website, wind forecasts continue to predict weak surface winds, limiting the ability of the atmosphere to flush out contaminants. As per health experts, “hazardous” AQI levels are risky for all residents, not just sensitive groups. The high pollution can irritate eyes and throat, impair lung function, and exacerbate cardiovascular conditions. Officials typically advise minimizing outdoor activity, using N95 or equivalent masks, keeping windows closed, and relying on clean-air purifiers indoors when available.
On the policy front, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) continues to coordinate with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to issue daily AQI bulletins and implement graded response measures as per the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). As the smog chokes the city, Delhiites are left waiting — for a shift in wind, for rain, or for real policy change that tackles the root causes. Until then, breathing easy may have to wait.
