KEY POINTS
- Delhi and NCR recorded an AQI of 337, with 34 of 39 monitoring stations in the “very poor” category.
- Pollution hotspots in Delhi included Rohini (376), Bawana (382), and ITO (360), reflecting widespread hazardous conditions.
- Vehicular emissions were the largest contributor to Delhi’s pollution, accounting for over 21% of total pollutants.
- In Pakistan, Gujranwala recorded the highest AQI of 378, while Lahore’s AQI reached 199, ranking it among the world’s most polluted cities.
ISLAMABAD: India’s capital Delhi and Pakistan’s city of Lahore continued to face worsening air pollution, with both cities reporting hazardous smog levels and sustained poor air quality across key monitoring stations.
Delhi and the neighbouring National Capital Region (NCR) continued to grapple with severely polluted air on Wednesday, marking the 13th straight day of hazardous conditions.
The city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 337, with most pollution hotspots falling into the “very poor” category.
Out of 39 monitoring stations in Delhi, 34 recorded very poor air quality while five stations reported air quality in the “poor” range, showing little improvement from Tuesday.
Pollution hotspots across the capital
At 7 a.m., the Rohini area recorded an AQI of 376. Other major hotspots included Delhi Technological University (367), Anand Vihar (364), Bawana (382), Ashok Vihar (364), Burari (347), Alipur (344), ITO (360), and Dwarka (361), all registering very poor air quality, highlighting the widespread hazardous conditions.
In Greater Noida, air quality varied between monitoring stations: Knowledge Park-III recorded a poor AQI of 290, whereas Knowledge Park-V registered a very poor AQI of 359.
In Ghaziabad, four stations reported very poor air quality, while Vasundhara recorded poor air quality.
Gurugram and Faridabad fared slightly better, with all stations in these areas showing AQI in the poor category. Overall, the Delhi-NCR region saw a minor improvement compared with Sunday’s readings.
Air quality to remain very poor
The Air Quality Early Warning System has forecast that Delhi’s air quality will remain in the very poor range from November 26-28. Over the next six days, conditions may fluctuate between “very poor” and “severe,” providing little respite for residents.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s average AQI over the past week ranged from 351 to 392, reflecting sustained unhealthy air levels.
Impact of distant volcanic activity
The recent decline in air quality was partly linked to the eruption of Hayli Gubbi, a shield volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar region. The volcano released an ash plume nearly 14 km (45,000 ft) high, which drifted east across the Red Sea.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the ash clouds have now moved toward China and are no longer expected to affect Delhi-NCR or surrounding states such as Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
Major contributors to pollution
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology’s Decision Support System estimated that on Tuesday, vehicular emissions accounted for 19.6% of Delhi’s pollution—the largest contributor—while stubble burning added 1.5%.
For Wednesday, vehicular emissions are projected to contribute 21.1% and stubble burning 1.5%.
Weather conditions
The IMD also predicted moderate fog across Delhi-NCR, with temperatures expected to range between 9°C (minimum) and 24°C (maximum), conditions that may further trap pollutants near the ground.
Pakistan’s Punjab Grapples with High Air Pollution Levels
Across the border, in Pakistan’s Punjab, air pollution levels remained dangerously high on Wednesday. Gujranwala recorded the highest Air Quality Index (AQI) at 378, followed by Hundal town at 332 and Faisalabad at 318.
The industrial hubs continue to face severe air quality challenges, posing health risks for residents.
Lahore Drenched in Smog
Lahore, the provincial capital, registered an overall AQI of 199, ranking seventh in the province and fifth globally among the most polluted cities for the day. The severity of smog varied across the city’s neighbourhoods:
Civil Secretariat: AQI 474
Johar Town: AQI 455
Burki Road: AQI 419
Cantt: AQI 407
Canal Road: AQI 290
Askari 10: AQI 260
Allama Iqbal Town, Defence, and Bedian Road: AQI 199
Gulberg: AQI 183
These readings indicate that even relatively affluent areas were experiencing unhealthy air quality.
Anti-Smog Measures Underway
Senior provincial minister Marriyum Aurangzeb confirmed that the government’s 24/7 anti-smog operations are ongoing.
Authorities emphasized strict monitoring of brick kilns, industrial units, and other major pollution sources, while maintaining zero tolerance for stubble burning.
Citizens were advised to wear masks, limit outdoor activities, especially for children and asthma patients, and report any visible smoke to the authorities.
The Punjab Police have intensified enforcement against environmental violations, targeting smog and air pollution contributors.
Polluters Face Fines and Arrests
In the past 24 hours, 15 cases were registered across Lahore and other districts, resulting in arrests of violators. A total of 483 individuals were fined over Rs10.13 million, while 43 others received warnings. Among the offenses:
280 vehicles emitting excessive smoke
3 industrial violations
8 brick kiln offenses
This year so far, Punjab has recorded 2,911 cases, with 2,587 violators arrested and fines exceeding Rs232.1 million imposed on 97,924 individuals.
Additionally, authorities have documented 1,777 cases of stubble burning, 59,053 vehicle pollution violations, 1,401 industrial offences, and 2,226 brick kiln violations.
Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar has directed officials to further accelerate smog crackdown operations and enforce strict compliance with smog SOPs.
