Delhi chokes as AQI remains in 'severe' category, temperature plummets
Out of the 37 air quality monitoring stations in Delhi, 23 recorded AQI levels in the severe-plus range, with Nehru Nagar having the highest at 485, according to the Central Pollution Control Board.
As the temperature in the national capital plummets, the air quality stood at severe category on Thursday with AQI recorded at 448. As the mercury dipped to 6.2 degrees, the city continued to experience chilling weather.
The national capital was covered in dense fog.
Out of the 37 air quality monitoring stations in Delhi, 23 recorded AQI levels in the severe-plus range, with Nehru Nagar having the highest at 485, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Other major areas in the severe-plus category include ITO, India Gate, RK Puram, Lajpat Nagar, and Rohini. Around 10 stations reported AQI levels above 400, placing them in the severe category.
On Wednesday night, the overall AQI reached 450 at 11 pm, within the severe-plus range. Due to the potential for dense fog, Delhi issued an orange alert for Thursday and Friday, and a yellow alert for Saturday.
The city continues to be under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which enforces the strictest anti-pollution measures, including a ban on construction and the entry of non-essential polluting trucks.