Delhi AQI: This Map Shows North India’s Air Pollution From Space – It’s Worse Than You Think

A large part of North India is dealing with dangerous levels of air pollution, making life difficult for millions of people. The thick smog has reduced visibility to almost nothing, and people are struggling to breathe. In cities like Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and Ghaziabad, the Air Quality Index (AQI) has reached "severe" levels, well beyond what is considered safe by the World Health Organization (WHO). As pollution worsens, authorities are taking steps to try to protect public health. Recently, a map showing the pollution over North India was shared online, with users shocked by how much worse it has become compared to a month ago.

In a Reddit post, a user shared an image showing North India’s air pollution visible from space. "Today’s pollution in North India is clearly visible from space, compared to just one month ago," reads the caption to the screenshot of the map shared on the Reddit app. The map clearly shows pollution in grey across North India, visible from space.

Here’s the post:

Today's pollution in North India is clearly visible from space, compared to just one month ago.
byu/muhmeinchut69 inindia

Reacting to the post, one Redditor wrote, "That’s actually insane," while another commented, "We’re doomed."

A third user commented sarcastically, "It’s so bad that my air purifier is running non-stop, but it still shows a red light. I’ve closed the door and windows, but it won’t get better." Many people commented in surprise, with some expressing how they feel helpless. One Redditor humorously said, "If this is going to continue, we don’t need to worry about overpopulation in India. I feel like the average life expectancy will go down to the 1900s."

To better understand the air quality, the AQI uses these categories:

0-50: Good
51-100: Satisfactory
101-200: Moderate
201-300: Poor
301-400: Very Poor
401-450: Severe
450+: Severe Plus

Currently, Delhi has an AQI of 494, which is dangerously high. Noida, Gurugram, and Ghaziabad have AQI levels of 423, 469, and 438, respectively. In total, 11 cities in India are experiencing "severe" pollution levels. These include Delhi, Ghaziabad, Gurugram, and Noida, among others.

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Physical Classes Suspended for Students 

In response to the pollution, Delhi’s Chief Minister Atishi, announced that physical classes for students would be suspended for all grades except Classes 10 and 12. This is part of a series of emergency actions aimed at improving air quality, including stopping construction work, limiting vehicle use, and encouraging people to work from home. This decision aligns with the implementation of GRAP Stage IV, which includes a series of emergency measures in Delhi-NCR.

New Working Hours for Delhi Government Offices

Meanwhile, to address the Delhi's Low AQI problem, Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena has changed the working hours for government offices. This decision comes in response to worsening air quality, especially during the winter months when pollution often spikes. The situation has become so bad that it can even be seen from space.

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Low Visibility Issued by IGI Airport 

Over the weekend, the smog in Delhi NCR worsened, causing even the airport to issue a low-visibility warning. While flights continued, passengers were advised to check for any delays or cancellations. As pollution continues to rise, North India’s air quality is becoming a major health threat. It's more important than ever for both the government and residents to take steps to protect themselves and improve the air we breathe.

In response to the hazardous air quality, even Delhi International Airport Ltd issued a low-visibility advisory, informing passengers that while flight operations remain normal, they should stay updated on any changes in flight delays or cancellations.