Heavy smog across Delhi as air quality nears 'severe', airport issues advisory

While the overall AQI in Delhi remained in the ‘very poor' category, it breached the ‘severe’ mark in major areas of the national capital.

A layer of thick smog surrounded Delhi on Saturday morning as the air quality remained at 397 at 9 am, falling in the ‘very poor’ category, and inching very close to the ‘severe’ mark.

Earlier, on Friday morning, AQI in Delhi stood at 332, falling in the ‘very poor’ category. (Raj K Raj/ Hindustan Times)

The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) at 4 pm on Friday stood in the ‘very poor’ category at 349, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

While the overall AQI in Delhi remained in the ‘very poor' category, it breached the ‘severe’ mark in major areas of the national capital with readings over 400 at 8 am on Saturday.

Amid the low visibility, Delhi airport issued an advisory informing passengers about low-visibility procedures in progress at the airport. SpiceJet Airlines also issued a separate advisory informing about flight disruptions.

According to CPCB data, Wazirpur recorded an AQI at 445, Jahangirpuri at 442, Vivek Vihar at 442 and Rohini at 436.

Location	AQI	Category
Wazirpur	445	Severe
Bawana	428	Severe
Rohini	436	Severe
Anand Vihar	436	Severe
Mundka	426	Severe
Jahangirpuri	442	Severe
Vivek Vihar	442	Severe
Chandani Chowk	419	Severe
Narela	431	Severe
ITO	425	Severe

Pollution levels in the city are likely to drop further and remain in the ‘very poor to severe’ range for the next few days, news agency PTI reported.

In the NCR areas, the air quality remained in the 'very poor to severe category', with Gurugram recording an AQI of 317, Noida at 448, Meerut at 368, and Faridabad's Sector 11 showing 351 AQI.

Delhi experienced low visibility on Saturday morning with dense smog (Sunil Ghosh / Hindustan Times)

The Decision Support System (DSS) for Delhi's Air Quality Management reported transport as the biggest contributor to air pollution on Friday at 16.5 per cent. This was followed by construction at 2.2 per cent and waste burning at 1.4 per cent.

Earlier, on Friday morning, AQI in Delhi stood at 332, falling in the ‘very poor’ category with 30 stations recording ‘very poor’ levels.

Meanwhile, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) said that an expert panel of academicians will be set up to develop strategies to combat pollution.

Amidst rising air pollution, Delhi commuters ventured out into the hazy and cold morning. (Sunil Ghosh / Hindustan Times)

The panel will be led by Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Professor, IIT Madras and include health experts and academicians. CAQM, in its statement, said that the panel is being developed, viewing the “urgent necessity to develop strategies for abatement of air pollution caused by vehicular emissions in Delhi-NCR.”

The panel will submit its recommendations for the city within two months after consulting stakeholders.