Delhi-NCR witnessed yet another alarming dip in air quality this week as a dense and toxic haze blanketed the region, pushing pollution levels deep into the ‘very poor’ category. Residents woke up to a heavy, greyish smog that significantly reduced visibility and triggered widespread health concerns.
By Wednesday morning, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Bawana spiked to 382, marking one of the worst readings of the season. Such levels pose serious risks, particularly for children, senior citizens, and individuals suffering from asthma or chronic respiratory issues. Iconic stretches like Kartavya Path were engulfed in a thick haze, with morning walkers navigating through an oppressive and dim atmosphere.
Amid growing public speculation about whether the volcanic ash from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi eruption might be contributing to the pollution spike, authorities issued clarifications. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the ash clouds had no significant influence on Delhi’s ground-level pollution.
IMD Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra stated that by Tuesday evening, the ash plumes had drifted toward China rather than India. Located at altitudes of 10–15 km in the upper troposphere, the ash clouds prompted precautionary flight adjustments but did not affect surface-level air quality. The civil aviation ministry also reported minor flight rerouting but reassured that there was no major threat to air travel.
Officials affirmed that Delhi’s current pollution emergency is entirely domestic, driven by local emissions, winter inversion, and stagnant wind flow. With volcanic ash ruled out, attention has once again shifted to the city’s perennial pollution sources—vehicular emissions, industrial activity, construction dust, and seasonal biomass burning.
As Delhi enters another harsh pollution phase, experts warn that sustained intervention and long-term mitigation strategies are crucial to safeguarding public health.
