Delhi woke up to thick smog, with air quality falling into the ‘very poor’ category. Areas like Anand Vihar, Kalkaji, Nehru Place, and Akshardham Temple were covered in fog, and visibility in Ghazipur was also low. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Air Quality Index (AQI) was 317 in the morning.
People, especially those with breathing problems, were warned to stay indoors as pollution levels are expected to stay high due to bad weather. Humidity was also high, at 93%, making the situation worse.
Saif, a local resident visiting Kartavya Path, said, “It’s hard to breathe during these months. The government is taking steps, but more needs to be done to avoid future problems.”
On Monday, October 21, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) ordered the start of Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) due to the worsening air quality. This includes actions like water sprinkling on roads and stricter checks at construction sites to reduce dust.
While the smog made things difficult, Delhi also recorded a minimum temperature of 20.4°C. The weather office predicts clear skies, with a maximum temperature of around 35°C.