Delhi's Atmospheric Crisis: Dense Fog and PM2.5 Surge Trigger 'Very Poor' Air Quality Alert

The National Capital Region of Delhi has entered a critical atmospheric phase, with meteorological and environmental data confirming a severe degradation in air quality to the 'very poor' category. This deterioration stems from a dual environmental assault: persistent dense fog conditions and a sharp spike in PM2.5 particulate concentrations. According to intelligence from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), visibility at the primary Safdarjung weather station plummeted to a hazardous 450 meters at 0900 hours, with Palam station recording similarly impaired visibility of 600 meters. This meteorological phenomenon, characterized by reduced atmospheric dispersion, is acting as a lid, trapping pollutants and exacerbating the PM2.5 accumulation. The convergence of low visibility and elevated fine particulate matter presents a significant public health and operational hazard, reducing ambient air quality to levels deemed unsafe for the general population. The situation demands heightened monitoring and indicates a pressing need for coordinated environmental and urban management responses to mitigate the compounding effects of seasonal fog and anthropogenic pollution sources.