The National Capital Region is under siege from an unprecedented pollution crisis amplified by arctic temperatures, creating a public health nightmare. AQI levels soaring beyond 500 have earned Delhi the moniker of world’s most polluted capital once again.
Fog-shrouded streets echo with coughs as residents don double masks against PM10 and PM2.5 onslaughts. Nighttime chills reaching 1°C have spiked hypothermia risks, overwhelming ambulances. Pediatric wards report doubled admissions for acute respiratory distress.
Under Stage IV GRAP, life grinds to a halt: no physical classes, online learning mandated, and inter-state borders sealed for non-essential goods. Pollution hotspots like Anand Vihar clock AQI over 600, prompting NDRF teams on standby.
Data reveals 35% pollution from farm fires, 25% from vehicles, and the rest from dust and biomass. Experts advocate for plasma technology and green corridors. Citizens improvise with homemade foggers and HEPA filters.
This crisis underscores the fragility of urban ecosystems. With forecasts predicting prolonged cold, NCR braces for tougher days ahead, demanding bold policy interventions for breathable futures.