Delhi air quality remains in 'very poor' category with persistent smog; AQI at 323
Delhi woke up to a thick blanket of toxic smog on Friday morning, with the average AQI reaching 323 at 8 am, placing the city in the "very poor" category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Although the air quality showed slight improvement compared to recent weeks, several areas remained engulfed in dense haze, reducing visibility significantly. Early reports from Ghazipur and Akshardham indicated heavy smog, while much of the National Capital continued to fall under the "very poor" category, reported news agency ANI.
Anand Vihar experienced particularly severe pollution, with an AQI of 348. Other affected areas included Sonia Vihar at 343 and Wazirpur at 358, according to CPCB data.
Bawana recorded the highest AQI of 325 at 8 am, placing it in the 'very poor' category. In contrast, NSIT Dwarka recorded an AQI of 269, which falls under the 'poor' category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
The Akshardham area is blanketed by a layer of toxic smog that covers the city. The AQI (Air Quality Index) in the area is 348, categorised as 'Very Poor'.
According to AQI categorisation, 0-50 is 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300 'poor', 301-400 'very poor', and 401-500 'severe'.
According to CPCB, the AQI, which ranges from 0 to 500, is divided into six categories, each reflecting the level of pollution and associated health risks.
An AQI between 0 and 50 is classified as "Good", indicating minimal or no health impact. AQI levels from 51 to 100 fall into the "Satisfactory" category, where air quality remains acceptable, though sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory issues may experience slight discomfort.
The "Moderate" category, ranging from 101 to 200, signals increasing pollution levels that can trigger breathing difficulties among people with asthma, lung conditions, or heart diseases.
An AQI between 201 and 300 is considered "Poor", a range in which prolonged exposure can cause breathing discomfort to most people, not just those with pre-existing health issues.
This level has become increasingly common in several parts of the capital during winter.
Levels between 301 and 400 are marked as "Very Poor", posing a risk of respiratory illnesses even to healthy individuals when exposure continues for long periods. The most hazardous category, "Severe," includes AQI values from 401 to 500. At this stage, air quality becomes dangerous for everyone.
Further to combat the continuously deteriorating air quality in the national capital and its adjoining areas, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday chaired a meeting at the Delhi Secretariat to review the pollution control measures in the national capital, reported ANI.