Delhi air quality hits severe levels as pollution worsens
The national capital recorded an AQI of 419 on Friday morning with 33 monitoring stations reporting severe pollution levels.
Air quality in Delhi reached the severe category on Friday morning, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 419 at 8:40 am, according to reports from Scroll, The Hindu and Telangana Today. A thick layer of smoky haze continued to cover the national capital as pollution levels remained high.
Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed that 33 out of 58 monitoring stations across Delhi recorded severe air quality. Several locations reported AQI levels exceeding 450, including Pusa at 469, Chandni Chowk at 479, North Campus at 478 and IIT Delhi at 488.
In the National Capital Region (NCR), Noida recorded a severe AQI of 474 at 8:05 am. Other nearby cities, including Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Greater Noida, reported very poor air quality levels.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) had previously invoked Stage 3 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) as a precaution. These measures include halting non-essential construction, closing mining activities and stone crushers, and moving primary schools up to Class 5 to hybrid learning modes.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that Delhi's air quality is likely to stay between the very poor and severe categories until November 16. Improved wind conditions may provide relief after that date.