New Delhi: The national capital continued to reel under toxic air on Wednesday, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) touching 335 in the morning — firmly placing it in the “very poor” bracket. The reading marks the 12th consecutive day of degraded air, extending Delhi’s longest pollution spell of the season so far.
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System, conditions are unlikely to improve soon. Forecasts indicate that air quality is expected to fluctuate between “very poor” and “severe” over the next five days, raising concerns for vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly and those with respiratory ailments.
The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) categorises an AQI between 301 and 400 as “very poor,” while a reading above 400 is tagged “severe,” a level at which breathing becomes increasingly difficult even for healthy individuals.
Alongside the pollution crisis, the city experienced a sharp dip in temperatures. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported a minimum temperature of 8°C — more than three degrees below the seasonal norm — marking one of the chilliest starts to the winter so far. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 24°C later in the day.
Morning humidity levels were recorded at 100 per cent at 8:30 am, creating hazy conditions that further reduced visibility in several parts of the city. Authorities have advised residents to limit outdoor activity during peak pollution hours and take necessary precautions as the air quality shows no signs of immediate recovery.
