New Delhi — The Indian capital woke up to an apocalyptic scene on Friday as the Air Quality Index (AQI) breached the 700 mark in several areas, turning the air unbreathable and the skyline an eerie grey. The thick smog that enveloped the city was not just a visual reminder of environmental neglect but a tangible public-health emergency.

By mid-morning, official data from multiple monitoring stations across Delhi showed AQI readings hovering between 680 and 750 , far above the “severe” threshold of 400. In localities such as Bawana, Anand Vihar, and Jahangirpuri, readings topped 770 — levels at which even healthy individuals are at risk of respiratory distress.

Experts say the spike was inevitable. “The meteorological conditions have turned unfavourable — calm winds, temperature inversi

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