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Sepia Haze Engulfs Delhi, Blurring Skyline and Burning Eyes
12 Nov
Summary
- Delhi's AQI reached 350, categorized as 'very poor'.
- Transport emissions are the largest projected polluter.
- 10,466 farm-fire incidents detected across six states since mid-September.
New Delhi is enveloped in a thick, sepia-toned haze, leading to a significant deterioration in air quality and a growing public health concern. The city's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) reached 350 on Thursday, classified as 'very poor'.
Residents are experiencing symptoms such as coughing, burning eyes, and discomfort breathing. Ten monitoring stations recorded AQI in the 'severe' category, while 42 were in the 'very poor' range. Despite the alarming conditions, protests for clean air persist throughout the city.
Projections indicate that the transport sector will remain the primary source of pollution in the coming days. Its contribution is expected to rise from around 16% on Thursday to 20.5% by Saturday. Conversely, stubble burning's contribution is forecast to decrease significantly.
Satellite data revealed a total of 10,466 farm-fire incidents across six states between September 15 and November 11, with Punjab reporting the highest number. Experts consistently warn about the severe health risks associated with prolonged exposure to high concentrations of particulate matter like PM2.5 and PM10.
