Delhi air quality 'very poor'; Hospitals see spike in patients with respiratory issues

New Delhi: Delhi's air quality remained in the "very poor" category on Monday morning, with hospitals across the national capital reporting a sharp increase in patients experiencing respiratory issues.

A dense layer of smog covered most areas of Delhi, significantly impacting visibility and air quality throughout the city.

Air Quality Index data

As of 9 am, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) was recorded at 349, placing it firmly in the "very poor" category, according to data from the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) India.

SAFAR-India data indicated AQI levels at specific locations: 206 at Sri Aurobindo Marg, 358 at Alipur, 385 at Anand Vihar, 356 at Burari Crossing, 367 at Dwarka Sector 8, 338 at IGI Airport T3, 307 at Lodhi Road, 382 at Mundka, 357 at Najafgarh, and 371 at RK Puram.

At the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, AQI was reported at 315, as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). Meanwhile, the AQI around Akshardham reached 378, which also falls within the "very poor" range according to CPCB measurements.

A concerning layer of toxic foam was observed floating on the Yamuna River at Kalindi Kunj on Monday morning, highlighting the severe pollution levels in the river.

With the current air pollution levels in Delhi reaching the "very poor" category, medical professionals report that even individuals with no history of respiratory issues are now presenting symptoms.

Dr Nikhil Modi, Senior Consultant for Respiratory Critical Care at Apollo Hospital, said that apart from the regular patients, those who don't have any respiratory issues in the past are showing up with symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, coughing and have increasing difficulties in breathing.

Dr Arvind Kumar, Chairman, Institute of Chest Surgery- Chest Onco Surgery and Lung Transplantation, Medanta Hospital said, "When you breathe that kind of air, your throat gets choked. All the ICUs are now getting patients with all kinds of pneumonia. You talk to paediatricians, their clinics are flooded with children who are having breathing problems. Go to any household, children are coughing, adults are coughing. So it's really taking a toll on people's health. The closure of schools and all the GRAP things, I completely disagree with it because these are all temporary knee-jerk reactions."

An AQI is considered "poor" between '200 and 300', "very poor" at '301 and 400', "severe" at '401-450," and 450 and above is "severe plus."

ANI