Dense Smog Chokes Delhi As AQI Dips Further Into ‘Very Poor’ Zone

Delhi woke up to another day of heavy smog on Saturday, with pollution levels worsening and the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) climbing to 333, firmly in the ‘very poor’ category and slightly above Friday’s reading.

The drop in temperatures added to the discomfort, intensifying winter conditions across the Capital.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a cold wave alert for 6 December, forecasting that minimum temperatures will remain around 8–9°C until 10 December, along with shallow fog.

The department noted that Friday was the coldest December morning yet this season, with temperatures falling to 5.6°C, nearly four degrees below average.

Data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) at 7 AM revealed that Mundka recorded the poorest air quality at an AQI of 381.

Out of 39 monitoring stations in the city, 35 registered ‘very poor’ readings, while four stations underlined ‘poor’ conditions.

The IGI Airport area logged an AQI of 263.

Areas with ‘very poor’ air quality included RK Puram (364), Punjabi Bagh (348), and Chandni Chowk (348). Rohini (374), Vivek Vihar (309), and Bawana (375) also recorded high pollution levels. Siri Fort (343), Wazirpur (359), Anand Vihar (366), Ashok Vihar (348), and Sonia Vihar (352) remained in the same category.

Sites showing ‘poor’ air quality were NSIT Dwarka (260), Mandir Marg (256), IGI Airport (263) and Aya Nagar (289).

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) defines AQI levels as follows:

• 0–50: CPCB classifies this range as good.
• 51–100: CPCB marks this range as satisfactory.
• 101–200: CPCB labels this range as moderate.
• 201–300: CPCB defines this range as poor.
• 301–400: CPCB identifies this range as very poor.
• 401–500: CPCB rates this range as severe.

The Capital’s pollution levels have seen major fluctuations over the past week.

The AQI was 279 on Sunday, 304 on Monday, and sharply rose to 372 on Tuesday, edging close to the ‘severe’ bracket. It then fell to 342 on Wednesday, stayed in the ‘very poor’ range at 304 on Thursday, and improved slightly to 327 on Friday.

Humidity soared to 100 per cent on Friday morning before dropping to 68 per cent later in the day.

The IMD, however, said shallow fog would likely continue, with temperatures on Saturday expected to range between 8°C and 23°C.

Also Read: Delhi Wakes To AQI 300; Many Areas Still In ‘Very Poor’ Zone