Pollution shoots up, foul air causes smog-like conditions in Capital

NEW DELHI: As pollution levels shot up and a mist covered the city, Delhiites experienced a smog-like condition on Monday night. Met officials, however, stopped short of terming the condition “fog” as visibility was more than 1.5km till 11pm.

Reports poured in that visibility was at its lowest in several parts of the city. The smog-like condition could even be spotted inside Metro stations.

The only difference between fog and mist is that during fog the visibility is reduced to less than one kilometre and during mist it is more than one kilometre.

Fog and mist are formed when water vapour in the air condenses.

During condensation, molecules of water vapour combine to make tiny liquid water droplets that hang in the air.

But pollution levels shot up in several locations such as ITO, Shadipur and Punjabi Bagh to near-severe levels. The AQI of Anand Vihar was severe.

While an AQI value of more than 401 is considered severe category of pollution, the AQI of ITO, Shadipur and Punjabi Bagh were 399, 396 and 399 respectively.

The levels of PM 2.5 — particulate matter that can penetrated deep inside our lungs — at places were at least six times higher than the permissible limits.

“The moisture in the air and the calm winds are not allowing the pollutants in the air to get dispersed. Everything is getting trapped,” said D Saha, head of the air quality laboratory of Central Pollution Control Board.