Ethiopian volcanic ash may worsen Delhi’s AQI, people practically living in a ‘Gas Chamber’ News24 –

After the long-dormant Hayli Gubbi volcano erupted in northern Ethiopia on Sunday, a threat of deteriorating air pollution looms over Delhi. The volcano, which erupted for the first time in over 12,000 years, has sent a massive cloud of volcanic ash, carried by high-altitude winds, drifting over Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Delhi-NCR, and Punjab. Amidst this, Delhi-NCR residents who are already choking in the toxic air are speculating whether the Ethiopian volcanic ash may further worsen the Air Quality Index (AQI).

Will Ethiopian volcanic Ash Worsen Delhi’s AQI?

The average Air Quality Index (AQI) plummeted to 361 at 10 am today, November 25, under the ‘very poor’ category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). As the ash cloud is set to reach Delhi today, concerns have grown over whether it will worsen the already deteriorating pollution levels. Despite implementing stricter pollution-control measures and a recent cloud-seeding experiment to produce artificial rain, the AQI sees no improvement. For residents, the effects of the volcanic ash cloud are alarming, but there will be no impact on the AQI levels.

According to the IndiaMetSky Weather, the ash plume does not pose any significant risk at the surface, and AQI levels will remain in the usual range, as it has low chances for ashfall. The Ash cloud is between 25,000-45,000 feet above surface levels, not directly impacting the AQI. Only local persistent smoke and pollutants with smog will impact Delhi as usual. However, a minor impact can be there in the form of dark clouds and the sky appearing darker than usual today.

Delhi Residents Living In A ‘Gas Chamber’

Many describe stepping out of their homes as akin to entering a ‘gas chamber.’ Every breath feels heavy and contaminated. The children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions are at higher health risks. People are complaining of persistent coughing and eye irritation to aggravated asthma, and other chronic lung diseases.

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