Delhi air quality enters severe category as AQI breaches 400
The national capital recorded an average AQI of 403 on Friday morning, marking the first time the city has entered the severe zone this season.
Delhi's air quality deteriorated into the severe category on Friday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) crossing the 400 mark. According to reports from Hindustan Times, Rediff, and The Economic Times, the city recorded an average AQI of 403 at 7.30am.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classifies an AQI of 401-500 as severe. This is the first time the city has entered this grade this season, having last recorded severe air quality on January 19 when the AQI stood at 410.
IIT Delhi recorded the highest AQI at 488, followed by Chandni Chowk at 479 and the North Campus of Delhi University at 478. Other areas in the severe category included Burari Crossing at 456, Jawaharlal Nehru University at 451, and IGI Airport (T3) at 403.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had previously invoked Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region on November 6. Under Stage III, restrictions include bans on certain dust-generating construction and demolition activities, the closure of stone crushers and mining, and curbs on specific vehicle categories.
If the city's 24-hour average AQI crosses 450 and enters the severe plus category, Stage IV of GRAP will be triggered. This is the highest level of anti-pollution restrictions.
A thick blanket of smog has reduced visibility in several parts of the city. NASA's satellite detected 4,107 farm fires in Punjab and Haryana between October 1 and November 12, including 96 fires on November 12.
