South African cricket icon Jonty Rhodes has raised alarm about the deteriorating air quality in Delhi, expressing his struggle to accept the city’s pollution levels. In a social media post, Rhodes shared his discomfort while passing through Delhi on his way to Ranchi, highlighting the stark contrast between the city’s air quality and the cleaner environment of South Goa where he resides. Recognized for his exceptional fielding skills in cricket, Rhodes, who now lives in Goa with his family, has a strong bond with India.
His post not only reflected personal concerns but also emphasized broader worries about Delhi’s escalating environmental crisis, with fans and followers echoing his sentiments online. The discussion sparked a call for more robust environmental measures to address the ongoing air quality challenges in the capital. Many praised Rhodes for opting to live in a serene fishing village, away from the urban hustle, embracing a simpler and nature-centric lifestyle.
Delhi is currently grappling with a severe air quality crisis, marked by a thick layer of smog enveloping the city and temperatures dropping below normal levels. As pollution levels worsened, concerned citizens, including parents and children, gathered at India Gate to urge immediate government action to combat the hazardous air conditions.
Recent data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed that Delhi recorded its lowest air quality of the season, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 354 categorizing it as “very poor.” The city’s air quality remained in the “red zone,” showing only a slight improvement from the previous day’s AQI of 390, which also fell under the same classification.
Monitoring stations across Delhi reported alarming pollution levels, with many areas hitting or exceeding the “severe” category. Anand Vihar, ITO, Chandni Chowk, Okhla Phase-II, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, and IGI Airport (T3) were among the severely affected locations. Neighboring areas like Noida also faced high pollution levels, with sectors reporting AQIs well above the safe threshold.
According to CPCB standards, air quality is rated as “good” between 0-50, “satisfactory” at 51-100, “moderate” from 101-200, “poor” between 201-300, “very poor” at 301-400, and “severe” from 401-500. The worsening air conditions in Delhi, coupled with plummeting temperatures below the seasonal average, triggered public demonstrations at India Gate, demanding immediate government intervention to address the critical environmental situation.