Delhi's Air Quality Crisis: A Stillness that Spells Disaster

New Delhi : As Delhi's air quality continues to teeter on the brink of the "severe" category, experts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warn that the stillness in the air will only exacerbate the issue in the coming days. Despite a slight decrease in the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) on Tuesday, the calm winds and seasonal conditions are allowing pollutants to build up to hazardous levels. With winter approaching, the situation is expected to worsen as particulate matter accumulates and dispersal becomes increasingly challenging.

As temperatures drop, there is a higher likelihood of severe AQI spikes, according to a senior IMD official. This trend is expected to continue until at least November 8, according to forecasts.

However, there is some hope amidst the haze as historical data shows that by early November, Delhi has typically experienced at least one "severe" AQI spike since 2015.