AQI Delhi

Delhi Air Quality Hits New Low: Is It Time for a Gas Mask Fashion Trend?

Delhi's air pollution crisis reaches astronomical levels as shoppers flock for masks like it's Black Friday!

Delhi has been experiencing an air quality crisis that is turning heads across the nation and, frankly, the world. As per recent updates, the capital's 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) has soared to an alarming 488, marking it as the worst in the country. If you think that’s a high score, wait until you hear that in some parts, the AQI has even touched 500! Schools and colleges including Delhi University (DU) and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have made the sensible decision to shift to online classes amidst this thick smog that looks like it’s been borrowed from a horror movie set. With visibility issues getting chaotic on city roads, many people are asking if they need to invest in fog lights for their cars!

Meanwhile, BJP leaders aren’t just standing by and watching. As the pollution thickens, they’ve been spotted distributing masks – perhaps considering it the latest trend in environmental activism! The air has become so toxic that the residents are practically gasping for fresh air, and preventive measures seem to be the order of the day. It’s not just about keeping schools closed; this could be a wake-up call for everyone to start living in a bubble, literally.

With the latest update from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), areas like Anand Vihar and others are grappling with AQI numbers that would make even the toughest lungs weep. The government is now exploring the idea of artificial rain – yes, you heard that right! It turns out that creating manmade downpours might just be the answer to this pollution pandemonium. Or perhaps we should all just invest in personal air purifiers and start walking around in our own little fresh air domes.

Despite these alarming conditions, it seems that the residents are quite resilient; they have adapted to these challenging times. However, it’s not just about surviving the smog. Did you know that the annual average of PM2.5 airborne particles in Delhi is 20 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guideline? To add more spice to this already suffocating story, studies show that prolonged exposure can lead to serious health issues including respiratory and cardiovascular problems. So, it might be time we take that air quality index as seriously as we take our daily masala chai!