Delhi engulfed by thick layer of smog as air quality turns severe. Watch videos

Delhi pollution: At 7 am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city was recorded at 464.

Published on: Nov 3, 2023, 08:14:01 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Delhi pollution: A thick layer of smog engulfed the national capital on Friday as the air quality in the city dipped into the 'severe' category.

Visual from Delhi's Anand Vihar area on Friday morning. (ANI)

Visuals shared on social media showed several parts of Delhi under a layer of haze.

At 7 am, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city was recorded at 464, data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed.

An AQI between 0-50 is considered "good", 51-100 "satisfactory", 101-200 "moderate", 201-300 "poor", 301-400 "very poor" and 401-500 "severe". An AQI above 500 falls in the "severe plus" category.

Also Read | Battle for breath: Vulnerable, sick queue up at Delhi ERs

While Delhi's AQI has remained in the “poor” and “very poor” category in the last week, scientists have warned of further deterioration in the air quality.

On Thursday 10 pm, the AQI dipped to 422, the worst of this season. The 24-hour average AQI was 364 on Wednesday, 359 on Tuesday, 347 on Monday, 325 on Sunday, 304 on Saturday, and 261 on Friday.

An air emergency was declared in the National Capital as its air quality index nosedived ahead of Diwali. All government and primary schools in Delhi have been shut in the wake of the declining air quality on Friday and Saturday.

Also Read | Delhi’s early warning system neither quick nor right

The Delhi government imposed a ban on non-essential construction activities and on the plying of BS-3 petrol and BS-4 diesel cars in Delhi Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Budh Nagar.

Last week, data from the Union ministry of Earth Sciences showed that vehicular emissions, pollution from the neighbouring regions, and smoke due to stubble burning were the major reasons behind Delhi’s deteriorating air quality.

A model-based study by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune revealed that smoke from stubble burning accounted for 25 % of the PM2.5 pollution in Delhi on Thursday. It is expected to go up to 35% today.

Delhi's air quality in October 2023 was the worst since 2020 with no rainfall in October this year. Only 5.4mm of precipitation was recorded in October 2023, in contrast to October 2022 (129 mm) and October 2021 (123 mm).

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crickit, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Infographics & much more. Explore now!

Stay updated with all top Cities including, Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai and more across India. Stay informed on the latest happenings in World News along with Delhi Election 2025 and Delhi Election Result 2025 Live, New Delhi Election Result Live, Kalkaji Election Result Live at Hindustan Times.