Delhi's air slips to Very Poor as smog engulfs capital; AQI crosses 300
Delhi's air slips to Very Poor as smog engulfs capital; AQI crosses 300
Delhi battles Very Poor air as AQI climbs above 300; authorities enforce No PUC No Fuel while dense fog looms.
Delhi woke to a dense fog morning as the city stayed in the 'Very Poor' category. The overall AQI stood at 355 at 9 a.m., according to CPCB data, with the scale marking 301-400 as 'very poor'.
A chill in the air accompanied by a minimum temperature of 7.8°C (one degree above normal) and 100% humidity at 8:30 a.m. added to the gloom, while the India Meteorological Department forecast foggy conditions for the day, with the maximum temperature expected around 22°C.
From 38 functional air quality stations in the city, eight reported 'severe' air quality with AQI readings above 400.
To curb emissions, authorities reiterated the 'No PUC, No Fuel' rule, urging vehicles to comply and reminding residents to limit outdoor activity.
IMD issued a yellow alert—the first in its three-tier system—for dense fog on Saturday and Sunday mornings, signaling cautious conditions for the weekend and the New Year period.
Health advisories emphasized that vulnerable groups should stay indoors, wear masks when venturing outside, and seek medical attention if symptoms worsen. As New Year’s Eve approaches, officials cautioned that visibility could remain low and air quality fluctuate, underscoring the need for cautious planning and progress toward cleaner air.
