New Delhi – The air in Delhi has turned toxic once again. In the National Capital Region on Saturday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed 400, falling into the ‘severe category’. This rising pollution level has not only increased concerns for the administration but has also started deeply impacting the health of common people. Hospitals have recorded a rapid increase in the number of patients with asthma, breathing difficulties, and allergies in recent days.

Pollution in Delhi-NCR’s air has been continuously increasing since Diwali. On Saturday, the AQI level was recorded at 412 in Anand Vihar, East Delhi, pushing pollution into the severe category.

Air quality is poor in many areas. Therefore, water is being sprayed on the roads along Janpath Road to tackle high levels of particulate matter.

Within just two days after Diwali, an approximately 30% increase has been observed in patients with breathing difficulties, asthma attacks, and allergic bronchitis. Doctors have advised wearing masks.

Meanwhile, a low-pressure area is forming in the Bay of Bengal. There is a possibility of it turning into a cyclone by October 27th. The storm could be named ‘Monta’, given by Thailand, which means fragrant flower or beautiful flower.

Winds Expected to Reach 110 km/h

The pressure area formed in the Bay of Bengal will turn into a storm, with winds reaching speeds of 110 km/h. This could cause heavy rainfall in Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Telangana.

Meanwhile, in Tabo, Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh, the minimum temperature dropped to minus 2°C. However, there was no significant change in the maximum temperature.

Among the plains states, temperatures continue to drop in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. On Saturday morning, a thick layer of fog covered the ghats along the Ganges in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Pollution experts say that stubble burning, vehicle emissions, and stagnant weather conditions have collectively worsened this situation. If wind speeds do not increase in the coming days, pollution levels could become even more severe.

This situation once again raises the question of whether long-term policies and public participation measures are being implemented to tackle the increasing pollution each year in metropolitan cities like Delhi. Clean air is no longer just an environmental issue but has become a public health emergency.

New Delhi

New Delhi is the modern capital of India, officially inaugurated in 1931 to replace Calcutta as the seat of the British Raj. It was designed by architects Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, featuring wide, tree-lined boulevards and grand government buildings. Today, it serves as the political center of India, housing key national institutions like the Rashtrapati Bhavan and India Gate.

National Capital Region

The National Capital Region refers to the official capital territory of India, centered around New Delhi. It is a large metropolitan area that encompasses the capital city, along with surrounding districts and satellite cities from neighboring states. Historically, the central part of the region was officially designated as the capital in 1911 during British rule, moving from Calcutta, and it has since grown into a major political, cultural, and economic hub.

Anand Vihar

Anand Vihar is a major transportation hub and residential area located in East Delhi, India. The area is most famous for the Anand Vihar Railway Terminal, one of Delhi’s primary railway stations, which was inaugurated in 2009 to decongest the city’s other terminals. While the neighborhood itself is a modern development, its significance stems from its role as a critical gateway for travel to and from northern and eastern India.

Janpath Road

Janpath Road is a major thoroughfare in the heart of New Delhi, India, originally built during the British colonial era as “Queensway.” Historically, it was designed as a central axis of Lutyens’ Delhi, connecting key administrative areas. Today, it is famous for its bustling street market, Janpath Market, which attracts tourists and locals alike for its handicrafts, clothing, and souvenirs.

Bay of Bengal

The Bay of Bengal is the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean, bounded by India and Sri Lanka to the west and Myanmar and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the east. Historically, it has been a crucial maritime trade route for centuries, connecting the Indian subcontinent with Southeast Asia and facilitating cultural and commercial exchange. Its coastal regions were home to ancient kingdoms and were later the site of European colonial rivalries for control of the spice trade.

Tabo

Tabo Monastery is a historic Buddhist complex located in the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. Founded in 996 CE, it is one of the oldest continuously operating Buddhist enclaves and is often referred to as the “Ajanta of the Himalayas” due to its exquisite ancient wall paintings and stucco statues. The monastery serves as a key religious training and cultural center for Tibetan Buddhism.

Lahaul-Spiti

Lahaul-Spiti is a high-altitude cold desert district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, nestled between Tibet and Ladakh. Historically, it was a significant part of the ancient trade routes and is renowned for its Tibetan Buddhist culture, which is preserved in its ancient monasteries like Key and Tabo. The region’s stark, majestic landscapes and its history as a remote, isolated area contribute to its unique and preserved cultural identity.

Ganges

The Ganges is a sacred river in northern India that holds profound religious and cultural significance in Hinduism, where it is personified as the goddess Ganga. For millennia, it has been a site for pilgrimage, rituals, and the final rites for the deceased, believed to purify sins and grant liberation. Historically, major empires and cities, such as Varanasi, have flourished on its banks, making it a central lifeline of Indian civilization.