No, We Haven’t Blurred the Background, Delhi Is Shrouded in Smog

A man, wearing an anti-pollution mask, jogs through smog at Lodhi Garden in New Delhi on Tuesday, 7 November.

(Photo: PTI)

Delhi has been seeing hazardously bad pollution levels since the past few days, but on Tuesday, 7 November, the national capital woke up to a shockingly heavy cover of smog.

The pollution rose to dangerous levels, with 18 out of 21 active pollution monitoring stations recording "severe" air quality. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the average Air Quality Index (AQI) of Delhi at 3:00 pm was 446.

This is worse than a day-after Diwali – on 20 October – when the AQI was recorded at 403.

The smog, heavier than any fog the city faces during winter, reduced visibility to bare minimal, and affected people’s daily chores like commuting and exercising. Even Belgian’s King Philippe’s reception took place under dense pollution.

Belgian royal couple King Philippe and Queen Mathilde with President Ram Nath Kovind, his wife Savita, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose amid smog at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Belgium’s King Philippe barely captured in a photograph, amid heavy smog, during  a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

India Gate covered in smog on Tuesday, 7 November.

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A rickshaw-puller pedals through an empty in New Delhi on Tuesday, 7 November.

Lodhi Gardens enveloped in the smog.

People practice yoga at Lodhi Gardens in New Delhi.

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Security personnel jog through the smog at Rajpath in New Delhi on Tuesday, 7 November.

Also Read: Delhi Battles Smog Again; How Many More Times Will This Happen?

A view from Narain Manzil building on Barakhamba Road, New Delhi.

People commute through smog in New Delhi on Tuesday.

(With inputs from IANS)

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