New Delhi: Residents of the national capital began their Saturday under a heavy blanket of smog, with Delhi’s Air Quality Index registering 332 in the morning—firmly placing the city in the “very poor” category.
The reading, issued in the Central Pollution Control Board’s 9 a.m. bulletin, showed a marginal improvement from Friday, when the AQI was pegged at 369. Despite the slight dip, pollution levels remain high enough to impact people with respiratory conditions and sensitive groups, experts warn.
Under the CPCB’s classification system, air quality is considered “good” when the index remains below 50. Values from 51–100 fall under the “satisfactory” bracket, 101–200 is tagged “moderate,” 201–300 is “poor,” and 301–400 is deemed “very poor.” Anything above 400 enters the “severe” zone, where prolonged exposure can affect even healthy individuals.
Alongside deteriorating air quality, winter conditions continued to tighten their grip on the city. The India Meteorological Department reported a minimum temperature of 10.4°C early in the day. Forecasters expect the mercury to rise to around 25°C later, offering some relief as the sun breaks through the haze. Morning humidity remained high at 90 percent around 8:30 a.m., contributing to the dense smog that shrouded several parts of the capital.
Authorities have urged residents—particularly children, the elderly, and those with breathing difficulties—to limit outdoor activities during peak pollution hours as the capital braces for yet another spell of toxic air.
