Delhi AQI Rises to 151 as Monsoon Withdraws; Winter Pollution Measures Planned
• Delhi's air quality index (AQI) has risen to 151, indicating a moderate level of pollution as the monsoon season withdraws. A study published in Nature Cities highlights a significant increase in urban deaths linked to PM2.5 exposure, rising from 670,000 in 2000 to 870,000 in
• The Indo-Gangetic Plain, including Delhi, has seen the largest increases in pollution due to extensive coal-fired power infrastructure. Researchers from the University of Oxford attribute this trend to India's rapid economic growth, which has increased electricity demand and reliance on coal-fired power, leading to higher emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO₂) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5).
Impact & Risks
The rise in air pollution poses severe health risks, particularly in urban areas like Delhi. PM2.5 exposure is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, with deaths from power-sector emissions alone increasing from 15,000 in 2000 to nearly 300,000 in 2020. Northern and eastern India, including densely populated regions like the Indo-Gangetic Plain, are most affected. The worsening air quality could lead to increased hospitalisations and long-term health complications for residents.
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