Delhi faces severe cold wave and 'poor' air quality as AQI hits 246

NEW DELHI: The Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi remained in the 'poor' category on Sunday, worsening further as the city faced cold wave conditions.
According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's AQI was recorded at 246 at 7 am, up from 212 on Saturday.
The temperature also dropped significantly, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recording a low of 6 degrees Celsius at 5:30 am on Sunday, compared to 9.4 degrees the previous day.
Specific areas in the capital reported higher pollution levels. Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 292, Alipur 256, Bawana 298, and Burari Crossing 288. Other areas like Dwarka Sector 8 (258), Nehru Nagar (299), Rohini (288), and Mundka (317) also reported concerning figures.
The AQI scale categorizes levels from 0-50 as "good," 51-100 as "satisfactory," 101-200 as "moderate," 201-300 as "poor," 301-400 as "very poor," and 401-500 as "severe."
With the temperature plunging to single digits, many residents sought refuge in shelter homes across the city. Visuals from areas like Jama Masjid and AIIMS showed people wrapped in thick blankets, braving the icy conditions.
Ved Pal, who manages a shelter near AIIMS, shared, "This is a family shelter, and we provide proper beds and as many blankets as needed. Residents receive two meals a day, along with tea and rusks in the morning." He added that over 40 people stayed at the shelter on Saturday night.
Highlighting the medical support available, Pal noted, "We have a first aid box and general medicines like paracetamol. A doctor visits the shelter for health issues, and we also assist in taking individuals to AIIMS if necessary."
Meanwhile, the IMD has issued a warning for 'cold wave to severe cold wave' conditions across parts of North India, including Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.
Soma Sen Roy, an IMD scientist, cautioned about a potential 1-2 degree Celsius drop in temperatures due to strong winds. She also predicted the cold wave would persist in North and Central India for one to two days.