November 18, 2024: The capital city of India is grappling with dangerously high levels of air pollution as the Air Quality Index (AQI) surged to 485 at 9 AM on Monday, reaching a level classified as "severe plus." With the city shrouded in hazardous smog, health experts are urging residents to stay indoors, and authorities have rolled out stringent emergency measures to curb the pollution.

On Sunday evening, the Centre for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated Stage-4 emergency measures after the AQI crossed the 457 mark, indicating severe air pollution that poses a significant health risk. The emergency measures, designed to mitigate the impact of the smog, include a ban on diesel trucks entering Delhi, the closure of schools, and a directive for most government and private employees to shift to remote working.

The AQI scale ranges from 0 to 500, with levels above 450 considered “severe plus,” a category that signals a public health emergency. According to experts, prolonged exposure to air quality at these levels can lead to respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular problems, and other severe health issues, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.

As part of the response, Delhi’s schools have been instructed to transition to online classes to minimize students’ exposure to the toxic air. Several local authorities have also urged citizens to avoid outdoor activities, wear N95 masks if they must step outside, and ensure proper ventilation in indoor spaces.

While pollution levels have worsened in recent weeks due to factors like crop burning in neighboring states, vehicular emissions, and construction dust, experts predict that the air quality may continue to remain in the “severe plus” category for the next several days, with little relief expected in the immediate future.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, with the CAQM advising that additional measures, such as restricting the use of private vehicles and increasing the frequency of road cleaning operations, may be implemented if air quality does not improve soon. The public has been urged to stay informed through official channels and to take necessary precautions to protect their health during this critical period.