Delhi's Air Quality Reaches Hazardous Levels - Some Say "It's Like a Gas Chamber": The Reality of Smog Covering Delhi at Year-End

"Rapid Deterioration from Friday" — What Happened in Delhi at the Year-End

Year-end Delhi has once again sunk into gray. On Saturday, December 27, the air quality in Delhi deteriorated sharply, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching 385 by 4 PM. Although classified as "Very Poor," the figure is nearing the threshold of "Severe." It jumped significantly from the previous day's 332, and considering Thursday's same time reading was 234 (Poor), the drop is substantial. The air, which seemed to have "recovered" midweek, turned worse again from Friday. NDTV Profit

Particularly shocking is the number of "red signals" at observation points. Out of 40 monitoring stations in the city, 20 stations recorded AQI over 400. Areas like Shadipur, Vivek Vihar, Ashok Nagar, Bawana, Chandni Chowk, DTU, Dwarka, ITO, and Mundka entered the "Severe" category. This means that the varying danger levels of the air people breathe in different parts of the same city were visualized at half of the observation points. NDTV Profit

AQI ranges from 0-50 as "Good" to 401-500 as "Severe." As the numbers rise, health risks increase, especially concerning for those with respiratory or circulatory issues, children, and the elderly. NDTV Profit

"Finding the Culprit" is Not Simple — Breakdown of Pollution by DSS

So, what triggered this deterioration? According to estimates from the Decision Support System (DSS) cited in reports, the largest contributor to the pollution load on December 27 was vehicular sources (16.2%). This was followed by industrial sources (8.5%), household sector (4%), and **biomass burning (1.6%)**. NDTV Profit

Notably, the issue does not "end within Delhi city alone." Contributions from the NCR (National Capital Region) side include Haryana's Jhajjar at 17.5%, Sonipat at 5.8%, and Rohtak at **5.6%**. Depending on wind direction and atmospheric stagnation, city boundaries lose their significance. Delhi's pollution emerges not as a "regional phenomenon" but as a "widespread atmospheric event." NDTV Profit

Dense Fog, Weak Winds, 100% Humidity — "Air That Cannot Disperse"

In North India during winter, low wind speeds, temperature inversion layers, and fog combine to trap pollutants near the surface. On the 27th, the maximum temperature was 22.2°C, the minimum was 7.8°C, and relative humidity rose from 70% in the morning to **100%** by evening. Furthermore, meteorological authorities predicted "shallow to dense fog" for the following day, indicating the possibility of "Very Poor" conditions persisting for the time being. NDTV Profit

When "increased emissions" coincide with "air that cannot disperse," AQI tends to spike.

Social Media Reactions: "I Don't Want to Go Outside" — Deeper Anger and Resignation

When air quality worsens, what becomes visible first is not the "sky" but "life." On social media, discussions about masks, eye irritation, throat discomfort, restrictions on children's outdoor play, and commuting difficulties begin to emerge, highlighting the physical sensations and daily constraints.

A symbolic moment was the viral video in November showing an air purifier turning black. A woman living in Delhi joked about needing "therapy" for air purifiers while cleaning soot-like dirt. Comments included "harmful even indoors" and "want to increase plants," spreading a sense of crisis disguised as humor. The Indian Express

Meanwhile, anger is not directed solely at the administration. On platforms like Reddit, there is visible frustration over "why society isn't angry enough" and "knowing this happens every year," reflecting anger towards "familiarity." The very consumption of air pollution as a seasonal spectacle leads to mental exhaustion. Reddit

"It's Like a Gas Chamber" — Why a Doctor's Words Resonate

On December 15, dense smog affected transportation, causing flight cancellations and delays, train delays, and an increase in patients with respiratory symptoms. A doctor's statement that "Delhi now is like a gas chamber" spread easily due to its strong expression. However, its strength is not mere sensationalism but an intuitive translation of "air breaking the 'premise of health.'" ABC News

The report also mentions that authorities have imposed restrictions on construction activities, limited diesel generators, deployed water sprinklers, and implemented work-from-home measures for schools and workplaces. Short-term "containment" is indeed necessary. However, the fact that "this still happens every year" amplifies resignation and sarcasm on social media. ABC News

Symptomatic Treatment with GRAP and Discussions on Structural Change

In Delhi, the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been implemented to gradually strengthen regulations based on AQI. In December, strict measures were introduced in response to AQI deterioration, and when the situation improved with stronger winds, authorities reportedly moved to ease restrictions citing the "disruptive nature of regulations." Hindustan Times

However, as long as the cycle of air deterioration → regulation → temporary improvement → easing → re-deterioration continues, residents' perception tends to be "forever going in circles." This has led to increasing demands for long-term and structural measures.

The International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) points out that Delhi's pollution is not just a winter issue, with other pollution challenges like NO₂ and ozone becoming apparent. They argue that short-term measures and stopgap solutions like cloud seeding have their limits, and propose a fundamental shift in transportation policy, including EV adoption rates, emission regulation effectiveness, and real-world emissions from commercial vehicles. International Council on Clean Transportation

For "Today's Defense" and to Avoid "The Same Story Next Year"

On social media, strategies for "today's measures" such as N95 masks, indoor ventilation timing, air purifier filter management, and adjustments to children's outdoor activities are shared. These are realistic and urgent. ABC News

However, air pollution cannot be solved by individual efforts alone. As DSS indicates, with vehicles, industry, households, and wide-area inflows intertwined, what is needed are implementations that transcend city and state borders and "effective policies" for each emission source. The gray that covers year-end Delhi is not only a health issue but also a sign questioning the sustainability of policies and the total amount of societal patience. NDTV Profit

Every time Delhi's sky turns blue again, people forget a little and then remember. Whether to break this cycle or be absorbed into "familiarity" is the question. The AQI 385 on the 27th is not just a number but a turning point. NDTV Profit