Delhi residents experienced a hazy morning on Thursday as a blanket of smog enveloped the city, leading to an Air Quality Index (AQI) reading of 278 — categorizing it as ‘poor.’ The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) forecasts a further decline in air quality, with readings potentially reaching the ‘very poor’ category between November 6 and 8.
The CPCB reported the city’s AQI at 278 today, prompting alarm among experts who caution that air pollution could escalate by evening. Low wind speeds and an accumulation of pollutants contribute to this worsening condition.
According to the Air Quality Early Warning System, winds may pick up to 15 kmph from the northwest in the afternoon but will likely drop below 10 kmph by evening. The sky is expected to remain clear, although mist and haze will persist throughout the day.
The CPCB classifies air quality based on the AQI scale: 0-50 is ‘good,’ 51-100 ‘satisfactory,’ 101-200 ‘moderate,’ 201-300 ‘poor,’ 301-400 ‘very poor,’ and 401-500 ‘severe.’ As of now, Delhi’s AQI firmly sits in the ‘poor’ category.
This morning, Delhi’s minimum temperature recorded 12.7 degrees Celsius, 2.6 degrees below the seasonal average, with humidity at 75 percent at 8:30 am. The maximum temperature is forecasted to reach around 29 degrees Celsius, with ongoing mist and haze during the day.
Given the current air quality conditions, health experts strongly advise residents to limit outdoor activities, particularly in the early morning and late evening when pollution levels tend to peak. Continuing rise in air pollutants poses a significant health risk, especially to vulnerable groups.
