Delhi AQI remains ‘very poor’, some areas slip into ‘severe’ levels

As the national capital remains shrouded in a thick layer of smog, the air quality levels continue to be in the ‘very poor’ category. On Saturday, the national capital experienced the season’s second-lowest minimum temperature of 9.8 degrees. This marks the third consecutive day for the AQI levels in Delhi to be in the ‘very poor’ category even with anti-pollution measures in place. At 7 am, November 30, the AQI in the city was 349, rising from the 331 recorded at 4 pm yesterday.

While the IMD weather prediction has suggested the minimum temperature to go below 10 degrees, the early warning system for Delhi has predicted the air-quality index to remain very poor until the month’s end.

As per area-wise details collected at 9 am, the air quality index in major Delhi regions was recorded at high levels including 377 at Anand Vihar, 370 at Ashok Vihar, 366 at RK Puram, 334 at Jawaharlal Nehru stadium, 338 at IGI airport, 328 at ITO, 381 at Rohini, and 334 at Dwarka among others.

#WATCH | Delhi: Thin layer of smog engulfs part of Akshardham area

The Air Quality Index (AQI) is ‘very poor’ in several parts of Delhi, according to the CPCB. pic.twitter.com/dfJcNl0W2x

— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024

#WATCH | A layer of smog engulfs the area around India Gate as the Air Quality Index (AQI) across Delhi continues to be in the ‘very poor’ category as per the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). pic.twitter.com/YUZLmximtN

— ANI (@ANI) November 30, 2024

Visuals from India Gate, Connaught Place, and Anand Vihar show a thick blanket of smog covering the whole area, making residents suffer from the increasing pollution levels despite government intervention.

Delhi AQI at ‘Very Severe’

Many other areas, including Bawana, Mundka, Jahangirpuri, and Shadipur, reported AQI in the ‘severe’ category with numbers going over 400. The weather department has forecast mainly clear skies during the day with maximum temperature expected to reach 26 degrees Celsius and humidity levels at 97 per cent in the morning.

In the wake of the increasing pollution and the poor AQI air-quality levels in Delhi, the Supreme Court on Thursday declined to ease the emergency measures outlined under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), further directing their continuation until December 2.

“All GRAP 4 measures except those modified in respect of schools will operate till Monday. CAQM will hold a meeting to come up with suggestions to move from GRAP 4 to 3 or 2. There can be a combination of Grade 3 and 4 measures,” said the bench led by Justice Abhay S Oka.