Smog Engulfs Delhi As Air Quality Plummets To ‘Very Poor’ And ‘Severe’ Levels

Delhi’s air quality deteriorated sharply on Saturday. Large parts of the city slipped back into the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ pollution categories after brief improvements earlier in the week.

Thick smog shrouded several areas during the morning, reducing visibility and causing discomfort among residents.

Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) revealed significant variation in pollution levels across the city.

Dhaula Kuan recorded an AQI of 252, placing it in the ‘poor’ category. In contrast, Akshardham and Anand Vihar saw AQI readings of 410, pushing both locations into the ‘severe’ category.

The ITO stretch also faced high pollution, with an AQI of 379, categorised as ‘very poor’.

Overall, Delhi’s air quality displayed a clear downward trend, with the 24-hour average AQI reaching 332 at 4 PM on Friday, a notable increase from 234 recorded on Thursday.

Weather experts attributed the rising pollution to calm wind conditions associated with an approaching western disturbance.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) noted that low wind speeds during the early morning hours hindered the dispersion of pollutants.

Winds briefly picked up to around 10 kmph from the southwest later in the day, offering only limited relief.

Meteorologists have warned that pollution levels may remain high in the coming days as a series of western disturbances is likely to affect the region.

In response to the deteriorating conditions, the IMD has issued a yellow alert. Residents have been cautioned about moderate to dense fog across Delhi and surrounding areas.

The minimum temperature will range between 6 and 8 degrees Celsius on Saturday. It may fall further to 5–7 degrees Celsius on Sunday, potentially worsening smog and air quality.

Authorities continue to urge residents, particularly the elderly and children, to take necessary precautions, including limiting outdoor activities during peak pollution hours.

Also Read: Delhi Air Quality Shows Marginal Improvement As AQI Drops To ‘Poor’ Category