Smog chokes Capital: Eyes burn, coughs rise as air nears ‘severe’

A thick blanket of smog descended over the national capital on Thursday, triggering widespread health concerns as residents complained of burning eyes, persistent cough, and difficulty in breathing.

- OUR CORRESPONDENT

‘The city’s air quality plunged close to the “severe” category, marking one of the worst days this season.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi recorded an overall Air Quality Index (AQI) of 373, up sharply from 279 a day earlier. Out of 38 monitoring stations in the city, 37 reported “very poor” air quality, with areas such as Vivek Vihar (426), Anand Vihar (415), Ashok Vihar (414), Bawana (411), Wazirpur (419), and Sonia Vihar (406) crossing into the “severe” category.

The CPCB said PM2.5 levels, the most harmful pollutant that penetrates deep into the lungs, stood at 184.4 ig/m’, while PM10 levels reached 301.9 jig/m?. Both readings are several times higher than the World Health Organisation's prescribed safe limits.

Neighbouring cities in the National Capital Region (NCR) also fared poorly. Noida recorded an AQI of 372, Ghaziabad 364, Greater Noida 330, Gurugram 248, and Faridabad 166. Experts say stagnant weather, high humidity, and low wind speeds have trapped pollutants close to the ground, creating the toxic haze that shrouded the skyline.