Delhi, India's bustling capital, grapples with an alarming environmental health crisis as air quality nosedives into the 'severe' category. With the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to 401, concerns escalate over the region's well-being.

The AQI, a global benchmark for daily air quality, now stands as a stark indicator of Delhi's worsening pollution. As the AQI breaches 450, advisories urge residents—especially the elderly and those with respiratory conditions—to curtail outdoor activities.

Insights from a joint Delhi government and Indian Institute of Technology project reveal vehicular emissions contributing to 38% of the city's pollution. Secondary inorganic aerosols from power plants, refineries, and vehicles add 25 to 35%, while biomass burning, including paddy straw post-harvest, contributes a staggering 21%.

Projections from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology forecast Delhi's pollution levels swinging between 'very poor' and 'severe' for the next five to six days. Lingering low wind speeds, hindering pollutant dispersion, worsen the outlook. Authorities are actively considering measures to combat this crisis, with vigilant monitoring and regular updates as the situation unfolds.